Money advice

Finance providers such as banks and credit companies are being flexible with repayments due to Covid-19 to help customers struggling financially. Up to date information from the Money Savings Expert website.

Our welfare rights team is available to help. Residents can also access online and telephone advice from here.

Gas and Electricity 

The government has agreed measures with energy providers to support vulnerable people through COVID-19. Proposals will make sure vulnerable customers who may fall into debt remain supplied with energy while in self-isolation.

Prepayment meter

Customers can: 

• request a discretionary fund added to their credit or can be sent a pre-loaded top up card so that their supply is not interrupted (numbers below)
• nominate a trusted third party to be able to collect discretionary credit sent to a shop on their behalf
• request their smart prepayment meter be switched into credit mode. Consumers need to be aware that any credit has to be paid back.  

Credit meter

Customers who pay monthly or quarterly for the energy will be supported by their supplier through the following options: 

• no disconnection of credit meters 
• debt repayments and bill payments can be reassessed, reduced or paused if necessary

Up to date information can be found on the gov.uk website here.

The MoneySavingsExpert website has a really good, easy to read visual table of help available from the energy companies. 

Number for pre payment meters and smart meters.

British gas 03332029802
EDF 03332005100
EOn0345052000
N POWER 0800073000
SCOTTISH POWER 08000270072
SSE 03450262658

Thames Water

Thames water has provided a useful help and advice page in response to COVID 19, in regard to bill payments to registering vulnerable customers on the priority register and how best to contact them during this difficult time. This page will be updated regularly.

Vulnerable residents can register onto their priority service. For more information on eligibility and how to register.