Priority 1
Keep supply active
Guide
Energy debt guide
How to stop debt getting worse, agree affordable repayments, and protect your household.
At a glance
Debt recovery priorities
Priority 2
Set affordable repayments
Priority 3
Apply for grant support
Immediate actions
Stabilise the situation first
Ask your supplier for a full statement showing balance and charges.
Request an affordability based repayment review.
Ask if hardship funds can reduce the arrears balance.
Get free debt advice before using expensive borrowing.
Repayment plans
How to negotiate realistic terms
A realistic plan should reflect your household budget after rent, food, and essential spending. If you are offered an amount you cannot sustain, provide a written budget and request escalation.
If debt has built up due to billing errors or estimated reads, challenge the account before agreeing long term repayment amounts.
Extra support
Use all available routes
Supplier hardship funds to reduce debt balances.
Household Support Fund for emergency household costs.
Priority Services Register for extra vulnerability protection.
Independent debt advice to challenge unaffordable plans.
FAQ
Energy debt questions
What if my energy debt keeps rising?
Contact your supplier immediately, request an affordability review, and ask for support grants while freezing unnecessary charges where possible.
Can prepayment debt be moved into repayments?
Often yes. Suppliers can recover debt through agreed top up deductions, but rates should be affordable and open to review.
Should I use credit cards to pay energy debt?
Usually this increases risk and can move debt to higher interest borrowing. Seek free debt advice before taking new credit.
Where can I get free debt help?
Citizens Advice, StepChange, National Debtline, and local welfare teams provide free support.
Key terms explained
- Arrears: Unpaid charges that have built up on your energy account.
- Affordability assessment: A review of your income and essential spending used to set a realistic repayment amount.
Check the other support you may be entitled to
Use the support finder to see which schemes may apply to your household, then read the relevant guides for application steps.
Use the support finderWhile you are reviewing your energy costs, it may also be worth checking whether a cheaper tariff is available at your postcode. Compare at Utility Matchmaker →