Energy Bill Debt: Rights, Repayments & Support

Why Energy Arrears Keep Rising in 2025

Even after the price spike eased, arrears stayed high and many households remain on tighter budgets. Regulators and charities report sustained pressure, rising advice demand, and calls for a fair social tariff for vulnerable consumers. If you’ve fallen behind, you’re not alone — and there are practical steps to take right now.

Your Rights with Gas & Electricity Arrears

Suppliers must assess affordability

Before agreeing a repayment plan, your supplier should consider your circumstances and ability to pay. If a plan is unrealistic, ask for a review and provide a full budget (we can help).

Emergency/friendly-hours credit (prepayment)

If you’re on prepayment and can’t afford to top up, request emergency or additional support credit and a temporary reduction in the repayment setting. You’ll repay it later, but suppliers should set this in a way you can sustain.

Extra protections if you’re vulnerable

Tell your supplier if you have health conditions, young children, or accessibility issues. You may qualify for the Priority Services Register and additional safeguards around prepayment installations.

Independent explainers: see Citizens Advice/National Debtline/Ofgem consumer pages for step-by-step rights and template approaches.

Smart & Prepayment Meters: How Repayments Work

Two common methods

• Fixed weekly amount — e.g., £6/week deducted from your top-ups.
• Percentage of each top-up — e.g., 30% of every top-up clears arrears.

Important

If you miss top-ups, missed weekly amounts can stack and be deducted next time. Ask your supplier to confirm your current settings and reduce them if they’re unaffordable.

Practical detail on repayment methods is widely explained by independent charities and Ofgem consumer guidance.

Standing Charges: Why Debt Builds Over Summer

Daily standing charges accrue even with low usage. If you don’t top up for weeks (for example, gas in summer), those charges can build as debt — then eat into your next top-up. Plan small, regular top-ups or ask about bill-timing and repayment settings that reflect your cashflow.

Make Energy a Priority — Without Sinking the Rest of Your Budget

Energy arrears are a priority. We help you ring-fence essentials (housing, energy, council tax) and then create one affordable payment for non-priority debts (cards, loans, catalogues) via a DMP or IVA where suitable. Where appropriate, use Breathing Space to pause most enforcement while everything is set up.

Grants, Hardship Funds & Bill Reductions to Ask About

• Supplier hardship funds — some can help with arrears (criteria apply).
• Warm Home Discount — check annual eligibility/participating suppliers.
• Priority Services Register — extra help if you’re vulnerable.
• Local schemes — council welfare assistance/household support funds.

We’ll check these alongside your budget so you’re not pushed into payments you can’t keep.

Social Tariffs: What They Are and the Latest

A social tariff would discount energy for eligible households. In 2025, charities, industry and committees continue to push for a targeted national scheme. Until then, maximise existing support (discounts, hardship funds, lower repayment settings) and make sure your usage is funded within a realistic budget.

7 Steps If You’re Behind on Energy Bills

1. Gather bills/app screenshots — list usage & arrears.
2. Ask your supplier for current repayment settings (weekly/percentage/both).
3. Request emergency/support credit if you can’t top up.
4. Provide a realistic budget and ask for lower, sustainable deductions.
5. Check grants/discounts and join the Priority Services Register if eligible.
6. Stabilise other debts via a DMP or IVA if suitable.
7. Use Breathing Space where appropriate while your plan is set up.

Energy Debt FAQs

Can a smart meter be switched to prepayment without consent?

Suppliers must follow strict rules, consider vulnerability, and treat prepayment as a last resort. If it’s unsafe or impracticable for your household, push back and provide evidence.

What’s a reasonable repayment?

It depends on affordability. If deductions leave you short for rent/food/heat, request a reduction and provide a full budget.

I’m choosing between heat and food — what now?

Ask for emergency credit, reduce deductions, and apply for grants. In parallel, consolidate non-priority debts into a single plan so essentials are protected.

Will a plan affect my credit file?

DMPs/IVAs can affect your credit file. The priority is stabilising the household; we’ll explain trade-offs clearly before you choose.

Independent Guides We Rate

• Citizens Advice — emergency/temporary credit (prepayment).
• National Debtline — gas/electric arrears & supplier powers.
• Centre for Sustainable Energy — how prepayment debts are recovered.
• Ofgem consumer guidance — prepayment rules, PSR, payment plans.

These sources underpin parts of this page and are updated frequently.