We understand how difficult it is at the minute with rising energy prices.
We've pulled together the latest news and information you need to help you through this
Latest news
The government has announced today that the Energy Price Guarantee will remain at £2,500 a year for a typical household(1)for at least three months. However, please be aware that the government is ending the Energy Bills Support Scheme at the end of March. From April, you'll no longer get the £66/£67 payments you’ve received since October.
We're preparing our new 1 April prices and will contact customers soon.
We know things may be difficult at the moment, but you can depend on our support. If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, find advice and support in our help centre.
The announcement by the government means that customers will not see the 20% increase that could have happened if the government had decided to increase their Energy Price Guarantee level to £3,000 a year at typical use(1).
So how are prices set?
Currently, two rates are controlling what prices customers pay for their energy.
1. Ofgems' Energy Price Cap - since 1 January 2019, when the price cap was introduced, Ofgem, the energy regulator, has been reviewing the cap rate to make sure customers aren't paying higher rates than they should be. The cap is linked to wholesale prices, so if there is an increase as there has been since 2021, the price cap rate goes up, and so do customer bills. In the Summer of 2022, predictions showed that wholesale prices would go up to levels the energy market had never seen before. This is when the government stepped in and introduced its Energy Price Guarantee.
2. Government's Energy Price Guarantee - since October 2022, the Energy Price Guarantee has acted as a subsidy, meaning that a discount has been applied to the unit rates customers pay on their bills. If this had risen in April to around 3,000, then it was expected that customers could have seen an increase of around 40% in their bills.
Government schemes to help customers with energy bills this winter
The government have launched a cost-of-living assistance package to help customers with their energy bills. Please find more information about these schemes on their website.
Latest government scheme – the Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme
This scheme is for all households across Great Britain using alternative fuels to heat their homes, such as biomass, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) or heating oil. This is a one-off payment of £200. You'll get your payments between 20 February and 28 February 2023. All energy suppliers will pay customers whose property has been identified by the government.
There may be a very small number of customers who aren't automatically eligible for the scheme. The government have opened their online application service.
Learn more about the scheme at Help with your energy bills: If you use alternative fuels for heating - GOV.UK(www.gov.uk)
How you'll receive your Alternative Fuel Payment
Payment method | How you'll receive your payment |
Budget Direct Debit | An automatic refund payment will be made within five working days of your normal payment date. This will be paid into the bank account your Direct Debit payments are taken from. Your Direct Debit amount will not change. |
Pay As You Go | An automatic credit will be paid onto your smart Pay As You Go meter. |
Prepayment | You'll get a cash voucher to top-up your key at a Post Office. You can receive this as a cash payment, or it can be added to your debit card. The voucher will be sent in the post to you between 20 February and 10 March 2023. |
Cash/Cheque and Direct Debit Whole Amount | If you pay for your energy by any of these methods, you'll get an automatic credit to your energy account between 20 February and 28 February 2023. |
If you'd like to learn more about the scheme, please go to Households, businesses and organisations off the gas grid to receive energy bill support over the coming weeks - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
What to do if you’re worried about paying your energy bill
We appreciate this is a challenging time. If you're struggling to pay, the best action is to contact us so we can help you. Find all the support available to help keep you on top of your payments.
Options include:
- Having a smart Pay As You Go meter installed can help you manage your energy budget
- Paying less, more often - if you currently pay your bills quarterly, why not consider monthly payments by going to MyAccount
- Extra support through our Priority Services Register for those who need it
- Access to independent advice and support
Ways we're supporting existing EDF customers who need the most help
1. EDF ECO Scheme
The new ECO4 scheme will run until March 2026. Eligible EDF customers can access a range of energy efficiency improvements that will help them improve their home's EPC rating to C or above.
Customers will need to take a package of energy efficiency improvements rather than just one. We're working on what these will be. Eligible customers will have a survey carried out on their homes to ensure their property is suitable for these improvements.
2. EDF WHD Scheme
The Warm Home Discount Scheme (WHD) is a government-led scheme offering a one-off payment of £150 (inclusive of VAT) towards energy costs.
This year the scheme has changed. If you live in England or Wales you will not need to apply for the WHD rebate in 2022/23. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will contact you from October to December 2022 to tell you if you are eligible to receive the rebate automatically from us.
For customers living in Scotland
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, on the qualifying date of 21 August 2022, you do not need to apply as you automatically qualify for the Warm Home Discount - Core Group 1 rebate.
If you do not qualify for the Warm Home Discount - Core Group 1 rebate you will need to apply. You can do this via our Warm Home Discount area.
Keep up to date on what's happening
3. EDF Customer Support Fund
If you're vulnerable our customer support fund could help you with electricity or gas bill debts, and provide essential white goods such as a fridge or cooker.
Step 1: Register for help from our Priority Services. To see how we can support you. We'll help make sure you're on the best energy tariff and see if we can save you money on your future energy bills.
Step 2: Apply for help from the Customer Support Fund on the Let's Talk website. You'll need to have your EDF account number and current energy debt balances ready, along with details of your household finances and vulnerability.
4. New schemes we've launched this winter
This winter, we've launched our Energy Hub Super Saver challenge(2). Each week throughout the winter, customers who take part will have the chance to secure a year's worth of free energy. If you're unable to have a smart meter installed, you'll still be able to take part!
We'll be contacting customers in need to help with services which may include things like
- Launching our 'Fresh Start' campaign(3), supporting those customers with existing debt with us
- Launching our 'Helping Hands' support scheme – offering additional support to our existing prepayment and smart Pay As You Go customers to make sure they can afford to top up their meters.
Other government support available for customers who need extra help
You may be eligible for certain grants and benefits if you:
- have reached state pension age
- have a disability
- have no income or a low income
- have missed payments to your energy supplier
Extra help with energy costs during the winter months
Cold Weather Payment (England and Wales) - Provides extra support for those who need it when the average temperature in your area you live in is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.
Winter Heating Payment (Scotland) - Is a yearly payment of £50 given out each winter to people who need extra support. The payment is made by Social Security Scotland, which assesses customers' eligibility. Most people get this automatically if they're eligible.
Winter Fuel Payment - If you were born on or before 26 September 1956, you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is a one-off annual payment that gets made automatically if you're eligible.
Helping to keep out of debt
Third-party deductions or fuel direct payments - If you receive certain benefits, you can pay your energy bills or debt over time directly out of your benefits.
Extra support through the Household Support Fund - The government launched a £500m support fund in October 2021. Local councils were awarded extra funding to help customers through the winter. Anyone needing support should contact their local council who can help them access the fund. Read more about the funding and how it works.
You may be eligible for some additional cost of living support from the government.
Other services that can help you manage your energy and save
Join our customers who are cutting their usage and bills
It's important now, more than ever, to stay in control of your energy. With a smart meter and our free Energy Hub, you'll easily be able to track your energy usage and see where you can save so that you can lower your bills and your carbon footprint.
Smart benefits include:
- Upgrade your meter at no extra cost
- Receive more accurate bills, keep in control and view the cost of your energy
- Get a better idea of where you use energy in your home with Energy Hub(4)
- Save up to £63 with our free Energy Hub platform(5). Smart meter required
Advice on what you can do at home to save energy
Read our tips on energy saving at home. Some of these are easy to do and completely free.
We're proud to offer our customers
Zero Hassle
Rated 'Great' on Trustpilot
