Now is the time to think about winter fuel bills, although the weather is still lovely.
Some schemes are limited in funding, so do make sure now that you are claiming everything you are entitled to and that you are on the best tariff with the optimum provider. With recent world events raising fuel prices more of us are struggling with energy bills, so do check everything. There is a full list of schemes and details of eligibility and how to apply on our website, www.citizensadvice.org.uk, search for Help with Energy Bills. For comparisons between energy providers and tariffs go to www.moneysavingexpert.com and search for Household Bills.
The Warm Homes Discount Scheme, which gives eligible claimants £150 0ff their energy bills, has been extended to 2030-31. To claim go to www.gov.uk and check if you are eligible (search for Warm Home Discount) or call the helpline on 0800 030 9322. Calls are free. If you are unable to pay your bill your first action should be to contact your energy supplier to agree a plan – we can help with this. VAT is also being suspended on energy bills from 1st October 2026 to 31st March 2027. Bills will be going down in the long term as more renewable energy comes in, which is also good news. Renewable energy is energy we control.
About Us
We don’t often blow our own trumpet but just this once, now we have our annual impact report, can we tell you that in 2025-26 we supported 2,233 clients with 6,777 issues, performed 8,855 actions on their behalf and delivered £2.8 million in financial income gain for them. All this with a team of 36 volunteers, 6 core paid staff, 8 volunteer trustees and 3 paid project workers. It’s a great feeling to know that we have helped so many people cope with modern life and we look forward to doing it for many years to come. Find out more
Financial Conduct Authority – warning to young drivers
Fake on-line insurance brokers are offering ‘bargain’ insurance for young drivers – it’s a scam. The FCA has a firm checker you can use to see if the firm advertising is an authorised broker. Search www.fca.org.uk for Firm Checker. If they are not authorised, then the insurance isn’t valid. Always check – there are no rules and no enforcement on-line.
Remember the Golden Scam Rules – Never give anyone your bank details in response to a text or email and if it seems too good to be true then it isn’t true!
Don’t sit there and worry, give us a call and we will do our best to make things better.
Get in touch
- Surrey Adviceline 0808 812 7087 (Freefone)
- National Adviceline 0800 144 8848 (Freefone)
- Citizens Advice consumer service 0808 223 1133
- Online www.catd.org.uk or www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Citizens Advice is an independent charity, free to the user, confidential, impartial and independent. We don’t judge, we just want to help.
