Help and advice with utility bills
Energy bills
There are a range of services and organisations who can advise you:
- Citizens Advice website has advice on managing your energy supply. This includes where to get extra financial support from. You can also get advice locally from Norfolk Citizens Advice and Diss, Thetford and District Citizens Advice
- Government's saving energy advice includes recommendations on home improvements to make your home more energy efficient. They have a helpline
- Government's help with your energy bills has information on the Energy Price Guarantee and Energy Bills Support Scheme
- Community Action Norfolk's ThinkingFuel community oil buying scheme could save you money
- Norfolk Warm Homes offers advice and grants to help keep your home warm and save energy
- Better Together Norfolk offers advice on reducing your energy bills. They have an advice line
- Check if you are eligible for a discount under the Government's Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter
- Check if you are eligible for the Government's Winter Fuel Payment
Water bills
Anglian Water provide an Extra Care Support service for people who may need help paying their water bills. By going through their Extra Care Assessment, they will make sure you're on the best tariff, look at ways of helping you get back on track you if you've fallen behind and will also be able to identify additional support you may benefit from.
Their Priority Services Register is completely free, and once you've signed up, you can stay on it for as long as you like. This service supports a wide range of people and provides a range of practical support, from reading your meter for you (if you find this difficult) to giving you advance notice of planned interruptions to your supply and helping you in the event of an interruption. They can also support you to register with your energy company if you would like them to.
Council Tax bills
Your district council may be able to help you with your council tax bill:
- Breckland Council - council tax support
- Great Yarmouth Borough Council - council tax support
- King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council - council tax support
- North Norfolk District Council - council tax support
- Norwich City Council - council tax support
- South Norfolk and Broadland District Council - council tax support
Phone and internet bills
Ofcom gives advice on what to do if you are struggling to pay your phone bill.
The National Databank scheme offers free mobile data for six months for eligible people struggling to afford their mobile tariff, or if you have inadequate internet access at home or outside your home. Visit any Norfolk library and ask to be referred or email libraries.iconnect@norfolk.gov.uk.
If you are a low income family you could be eligible for cheaper broadband and phone packages. Find out about these social tariffs on Ofcom website.