If you are finding it hard to pay your energy bills or top up your meter this winter you can get help with your payments.
Who can apply
You can apply for help with your energy bill payments if:
- you are over 16
- you live in Torbay
- the bill is in your name
- the bill is in someone else's name, like your landlord, and you pay them
- you use other types of energy e.g. oil or gas cylinders
- you use a prepayment meter
If you get a bill
If you get a bill in your name or someone else, like your landlord pays the bill, you can get help with your payments.
How we can help
You will get help for 3 months based on the number of people in your household (including children).
| Number of people | Average monthly cost | 3 month total | Prepayment voucher amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | £75 | £225 | £224 |
| 3 to 4 | £100 | £300 | £294 |
| 5 or more | £150 | £450 | £441 |
What we need to see
We will need to see your most recent bill or statement of account. So we can pay the utility company on the bill we will need to see:
- the name of the person who pays the bill
- the address of the person who pays the bill
- the bill reference
If you are not on a benefit (including Universal Credit) we will need to see a bank statement that shows your income.
Get help to pay your energy bills
What happens next
Once you have applied you must send us the documents we need that support your application.
We will look at applications in the order we get them but urgent applications will get priority. We may call or email you if we need to talk to you about:
- your application
- documents we may need to support your application.
We may check some details with:
- the Department of Work and Pensions
- other council departments
Wherever we can we will help you. You won't have to pay anything back.
If you are unhappy with a decision we make about your application you can ask us to look at it.
If you have a prepayment meter
If you are on a prepayment meter you should contact Citizens Advice and they will give you fuel vouchers. Apply online or call 0808 2787859.