Managing household bills can be challenging, especially when the cost of living continues to rise. If you're a resident of Derbyshire and are struggling to keep up with your gas, electricity, or water bills, you will find links to websites that offer help.
This page contains resources and links to organisations that can help reduce your utility costs or provide financial assistance. Whether you're looking for advice on energy efficiency, or help applying for discounts and grants, you'll find useful links to schemes and information available to Derbyshire residents.
Ofgem - Understanding Your Energy Bills
Energy bills can be complicated—but understanding them is the first step to staying in control of your costs. The UK's energy regulator, Ofgem, offers a clear and simple guide to help you understand what all the charges, terms, and numbers on your electricity and gas bills actually mean. Whether you're trying to budget better, check for errors, or just want to know what you're paying for, this guide can help.
Local Energy Advice: Warmer Derby and Derbyshire
If you're struggling with your gas or electricity bills, or want to make your home more energy efficient, Marches Energy Agency (MEA) may be able to help. Through their 'Warmer Derby and Derbyshire' project, they offer:
- Free, impartial advice on managing energy costs
- Help accessing grants for insulation and heating
- Support tailored to your health and home needs
British Gas Energy Trust
If you're behind on your gas or electricity bills, the British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) may be able to help, even if you're not a British Gas customer. To apply, you’ll need to provide proof of income, a recent meter reading, and evidence of having received financial advice. They offer:
- Grants to help clear energy arrears
- Support for prepayment meter users
- Free access to budgeting and money advice
OVO Energy Support for Customers
If you're an OVO Energy customer and finding it difficult to manage your energy bills, OVO's Energy Support may be able to help:
- Flexible payment plans tailored to your financial situation
- Pay As You Go meters to help you stay in control of your usage
- Customer Support Package offering practical help like boiler servicing and energy-saving items
- OVO Energy Fund (when available) to help clear energy debt for low-income households
E.ON Next Energy Fund
If you're an E.ON Next customer and struggling with your energy bills, the E.ON Next Energy Fund could help you get back on track. Support includes:
- Help with clearing energy debt (after a 3-month payment plan)
- Free energy-efficient appliances to replace old or broken ones
- Smaller items to help reduce energy use and stay warm
EDF Energy Bill Debt Advice
If you're struggling to keep up with your energy bills, support is available. EDF Energy offers practical advice and assistance for customers facing financial difficulties, including help with:
- managing debt
- setting up payment plans
- and accessing grants or support schemes
Better Housing Better Health
If you're worried about keeping your home warm or managing energy costs, Better Housing Better Health offers free, expert advice to help you stay safe and well.
- Help with improving energy efficiency
- Access to grants and funding for home improvements
- Support for people with health conditions affected by cold homes
- Referrals to other local services
Severn Trent's Big Difference Scheme
If you're finding it hard to keep up with your water bills, Severn Trent's Big Difference Scheme may be able to help. Eligible households could receive up to 70% off their water charges.
- Open to all Severn Trent customers with a household income below £23,492
- Additional allowances for households with children
- Tailored payment plans and support with existing debt
- Scheme runs for 12 months, with the option to reapply
Derbyshire Rural Action - Rural Fuel Poverty
Heating your home with oil can be expensive, especially in rural areas. You don’t have to face those high costs alone. Rural Action Derbyshire runs a community oil buying scheme that helps households, businesses, and community groups save money by ordering together. By joining forces with others in your area, you can benefit from bulk buying prices and reduce the hassle of arranging deliveries. It’s simple, cost-effective, and designed to support rural communities.
National Energy Action (NEA)
No one should have to choose between heating and eating. If you're finding it hard to afford your energy bills or keep your home warm, National Energy Action (NEA) offers free, practical support to help you take control by providing advice on energy efficiency and managing bills, to help accessing grants and support schemes. NEA is dedicated to tackling fuel poverty and making sure everyone can live in a warm, safe home.
Energy Saving Trust
Small changes can make a big difference when it comes to saving energy and money. The Energy Saving Trust offers expert advice on how to reduce your energy use at home, lower your bills, and make your home more efficient. From quick tips to long-term improvements, this guide is packed with practical ideas to help you stay warm and save money, whatever your budget.
Groundwork Five Counties - Green Doctor
Groundwork's Green Doctor offers support to households by providing energy advice to save money, use energy more efficiently, and stay warm for less. This is free of charge to anyone in the East Midlands.
Derbyshire Discretionary Fund (DDF)
Derbyshire County Council are using part of the Household Support Grant funding to increase the scope of the Derbyshire Discretionary Fund so they can help more residents. Households facing financial hardship can apply directly to the Derbyshire Discretionary Fund for help towards energy costs. Payments are £65 per household plus an extra £15 will be provided for each partner or spouse, and each dependent child.