Fuel, energy and utilities

Help with energy and water bills 

Energy bills help and advice

Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) and Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme (AFP) 

On 19 December 2022, the Government announced schemes for certain households to further assist with rising energy costs. Applications open on 27 February 2023 and will close on 31 May 2023. You can find out more about these Schemes on our Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSSAF) and Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme (AFP) page.

Warm Hubs

In collaboration with Cambridgeshire ACRE, with funding provided by the Integrated Care System (ICS), we have set up a series of community-led free-to-use Warm Hubs. You can find out more on our warm hubs page.

Energy supplier grants

Some of the bigger energy suppliers have their own funds to support households in energy arrears. Some of these funds are open to all, not just their customers. We would advise going through a local Citizens Advice Bureau for these Grants, as a financial statement prepared by a Debt Advisor is needed as evidence of seeking Debt Advice. Main examples include:

Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP)

LEAP is an advice service, offering energy tariff comparisons, installing simple energy saving measures (like LED lightbulbs and radiator reflector panels), and giving referrals to more complex energy saving measures. You can call LEAP free on: 0800 060 7567.

Stay Well heating grants 

Your local Stay Well this Winter programme is a network of partners who work across the local health and social care system to mitigate the risks associated with cold weather. They work to improve the health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable groups who live in cold homes, due to fuel poverty.

If you are at risk of or living in fuel poverty, there are several ways in which your local Stay Well this Winter programme can help you access the services, information and potentially even financial support to keep warm and well this winter, whilst reducing your energy bills.

The Stay Well Heating Grants application process is open (previously titled Warm Homes). You will need to be referred by an organisation.

If you are struggling to pay your bills and/or can't afford to heat your home, contact LEAP at support@applyforleap.org.uk or call 0800 060 7567.

Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency

Our partners at the Cambridgeshire Home Improvement Agency can help you save money on energy bills. They can:

  • Help reduce older and disabled residents’ fuel costs by fitting new, energy efficient boilers.
  • Use Disabled Facility Grant funding to replace a boiler for a homeowner whose health is impacted by a lack of warmth. They may be eligible for a grant because their existing boiler doesn’t work (or doesn’t work as well as it should).
  • Provide Special Purposes Grants, which are means-tested for people on low incomes. They can also pay for replacement doors and windows, roofing repairs, damp proofing or security improvements.
  • For a small fee, they can support those not eligible for grants, but who struggle to organise the work themselves.

For more information email hia@cambshia.org or phone 01954 713330 or 01954 713347.

Better Housing Better Health

Better Housing Better Health is a charity working to improve domestic warmth and wellbeing. They can help with:

  • Energy saving advice
  • Home energy visits
  • Grant funding towards energy saving measures
  • Grant funding towards energy bills / debt
  • Other interventions / referrals

Contact them on 0800 107 0044 or email bhbh@nef.org.uk

Water bills help and advice

  • Anglian Water’s Extra Care Support Team can help find you the cheapest tariff or a flexible payment plan. Visit Extra Care Support or call 0800 232 1951
  • Visit Save Water Save Money for free water saving devices, such as aerated shower heads, which give the same shower pressure using far less water.
  • Cambridge Water have the Assure tariff which is a discounted tariff for those on a low income. They have other special tariffs, too. 
  • Use this water meter calculator to see if you would be saving money having a water meter installed.

Help with phone bills 

  • You may be eligible to move onto a social tariff if you’re struggling to afford your broadband or phone services. Check the Ofcom website to see if you can switch. 
  • It's also worth checking whether you could be on a cheaper broadband deal. You can use a comparison site like Broadband Genie. 
  • VOXI For Now is Unlimited 5G-ready data, minutes, and texts for £10 a month (usually £35 a month). To get 'VOXI For Now', you need to be receiving a government benefit, such as: Jobseeker’s allowance, Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Disability allowance and/or Personal independence Payment. If you are eligible, you will get the package for six months from the day that your VOXI For Now plan starts. Then, after six months, you will be switched over to the standard £10 a month plan (with access to Unlimited Social Media, as well as Unlimited calls, texts and flexibility to change, pause, or cancel at anytime.)

Help making your home warmer

We are dedicated to making South Cambs homes warmer. We have already been able to reduce energy consumption, improved efficiency, and reduced Carbon emissions in South Cambridgeshire. We have listed many useful tips on how to make your home energy efficient.

Thermal imaging

Why not borrow a thermal imaging camera to see where your home is leaking heat? Cambridge Carbon Footprint runs the scheme for us and provides free 1.5 hour online training sessions. (You must complete training before borrowing a camera).

Cold weather payment 2022

  • You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re receiving: Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, Support for Mortgage Interest. For more information visit the government cold weather payment page.

Age UK handyperson

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Handyperson Service is usually a charged-for service and the cost will vary dependent on the work being undertaken.

Exact handyperson services differ from place to place, but these are the sorts of jobs they can usually help with:

  • Small repairs - putting up curtain rails, shelves and pictures
  • Safety measures - fitting smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and grab rails
  • Home security - door and window locks, door chains and door viewers
  • Energy efficiency checks - installing draught excluders, radiator heat reflectors and energy efficient lightbulbs

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