If you’re worried about your energy bills, you are not alone. The fear of missing a payment can be overwhelming, but contacting your supplier as soon as possible can turn growing costs into manageable debt. We’ve got more information on our website if you’re struggling to pay for your energy bills.

If you’re a ScottishPower customer,contact us as soon as possible and we’ll do everything in our power to help you manage your energy debt. We can assist you with creating a payment plan and help you update your payment method. Additionally, we can refer you to other organisations for further assistance.

Getting help with your energy bills

If you cannot afford your bill, knowing your rights is your best defence. Under Ofgem rules on debt collection, suppliers cannot force unmanageable payments on you, and must work out a fair deal based on what you can realistically afford. Ofgem have more information about getting help with your energy bills.

Beyond lowering monthly payments, many providers offer direct financial support, like specific hardship funds for energy debt. To access this support quickly, have these details ready before calling your supplier’s hardship team:

Anyone on a prepayment meter worried about losing power has immediate options. You can access emergency credit directly through your meter to keep the heating on right now, but please note any emergency credit must be repaid.

Setting up payment plans and using emergency credit

The first step is managing your "arrears"—the official industry term for past debt. To avoid lump-sum demands, you need to know how to set up an energy payment plan. This simple agreement breaks your debt into manageable chunks added to your regular monthly usage. Before calling your supplier, calculate a realistic monthly repayment figure based only on the cash you have left after other costs, like buying groceries or paying rent.

If you have a prepayment meter, you have a built-in safety net. Fear of losing power adds immense stress, but strict legal rules protect vulnerable groups from disconnection, especially in winter. You can instantly access emergency credit for prepayment meter to keep the heating on while you find a long-term solution.

Getting this vital financial buffer is simple when your balance drops below £1:

With the immediate crisis paused, ensure your future charges are accurate.

How to read your meter and get an up-to-date bill

If your latest bill is higher than you expected, check if your supplier is simply guessing your energy use. Companies frequently rely on estimated energy bills when they lack recent meter readings, which can lead to overcharging. To spot a guess, look at your statement for these symbols:

Breaking down that final cost is easier than it looks. Your bill splits into two parts: the unit rate and standing charge. Think of the standing charge as a daily "line rental" just to keep your home connected to the grid, even if you keep the lights off. Meanwhile, the unit rate is the actual price you pay for the energy you actively use, like boiling the kettle.

Taking control means submitting real meter readings. If you don’t have a smart meter, which submits your readings automatically, knowing how to read your meter correctly and submitting readings regularly ensures you’re paying the right amount for the energy you use.  Once your bill reflects reality, you can confidently explore further financial support.

Accessing the Warm Home Discount and government grants.

Worrying about winter bills shouldn’t mean sitting in the cold. You could receive a £150 credit directly on your electricity statement to ease the pressure. Anyone living in England, Wales and Scotland who is in receipt of Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit will automatically receive the £150 payment. You may still be eligible if you receive certain means tested benefits – you can find out more about the eligibility criteria in our Support Centre.

If you’re eligible, a £25 Cold Weather Payment is sent straight to your bank account to cover the extra heating you need when temperatures drop below freezing for seven consecutive days.  Alongside this automatic relief, the Winter Heating payment for pensioners provides up to £300 to help older households manage the seasonal price spike. Find out if you’re eligible for the Cold Weather Payment and Winter Heating Payment in our Support Centre.

In emergencies, you can also contact your local council, as they can provide  assistance for bills and groceries through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (England), the Scottish Welfare Fund (Scotland), or the Discretionary Assistance Fund (Wales). They can also point you towards government grants for home insulation.

Other ways to lower your costs for free

Making daily adjustments stops money from slipping through the cracks.  Try these steps to lower heating costs without spending, which are great energy efficiency improvements for tenants:

The Priority Services Register (PSR)

Extra protections also exist if you are older, have a disability, or have young children at home. Call your energy supplier today to check if you’re eligible for their Priority Services Register.

Being on the Priority Services Register gives you priority support during power cuts, advance warning of planned outages, help reading your meter, as well as a range of other benefits.

If you’re a ScottishPower customer, log in to your account and select the option ‘Help and Advice’. Select Priority Services Register on the drop-down menu and click on the option to apply.

If you can’t log in to your account, then you can call us on 0345 270 0700 from Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm.

From anxiety to action: your 24-hour plan to lower energy stress

You no longer have to silently worry about what you owe - you can start to take control of your energy costs today with this 24-hour action plan. If you have a prepayment meter, skip to step 3 to discuss your options.