East Suffolk Council

Fuel, energy and utilities

A complete list of available support is below. Please take the time to read it and use the links to the support you need.

If you, or someone you know, need help with accessing advice and support with the cost of living, please complete our online Community Help Hub referral form. Please note that we aim to respond to your contact within 5 working days.

Keeping your home warm

Get energy-saving advice from Warm Homes Suffolk to help manage your costs and keep your home warm.

If your total household income is under £36,000 annually, you may also be eligible for a grant to help make your home more energy efficient to cut your usage and save money.

Help with water bills

Anglian Water offers tariffs for low-income households that can offer up to 50% discount on water and sewage usage.

Essex and Suffolk Water also offers ways to help, from payment breaks and low income discounts to advice on saving water which can help lower energy bills too.

Cheaper broadband and phone packages

If you are on certain benefits, you could be eligible for social tariff broadband and phone packages. Visit Ofcom to find out more.

Money and energy bills support

The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charitable trust set up to support households who are struggling to pay their bills, no matter which energy company they are with.

The trust can help with free resources to ensure you’re getting the support and benefits you’re entitled to and free 1-2-1 advice on money, benefits and energy efficiency.

It also runs an Energy Debt Programme, which awards grants to households that remove energy debt, fund emergency fuel credit and provide boiler replacements.

Help with heating costs

The Support Community Foundation Surviving Winter Scheme can help those who are in fuel poverty with a contribution towards the cost of gas/electricity or oil heating.

Interest-free loan for heating oil

Eastern Savings and Loans can provide interest-free loans up to £500 for a tank of heating oil to households in East Suffolk. Loans will need to be paid back over 12 months, with monthly repayments starting from £41.

Car sharing

Did you know that there are a staggering 38 million empty seats in the cars on UK roads every weekday?

Suffolk Car Share enables you to share with others travelling your way - an easy way to cut monthly fuel bills and help the environment.

Leave the car behind

As fuel prices continue to rise, why not consider cheaper ways of getting around where possible, such as walking, cycling or using public transport? Leaving your car at home will not only benefit your wallet, but the environment too.

Visit The Way To Go Suffolk and start planning your journey now.

Servicing or upgrading your boiler

Your boiler should be serviced at least once a year to ensure that it is running safely and efficiently. Failing to do so can lead to faults, higher energy bills and your warranty ending early.

If you are looking to upgrade to a low carbon heating system, you may be eligible to a grant of up to £5,000 through the GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Winter Fuel Payments

If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. It is no longer open to everyone over State Pension age, but is now given out depending on your income. You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits. More information on Winter Fuel Payments from GOV.UK.

Cold weather Payment

You could be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment of £25 extra a week if you’re getting certain benefits when the temperature is zero or below for more than 7 days.

Join a syndicate scheme

You can save money on your heating oil by joining a syndicate scheme, which aims to reduce the costs by combining orders into one purchase and negotiating directly with suppliers to get the best possible price.

AF Affinity makes purchasing as easy as possible for customers by offering monthly pre-payment plans that enable you to spread the cost ahead of the winter demand and make budgeting easier.

Get energy support and advice

Useful information from National Energy Action on the financial help available and the practical steps you can take to help keep your home feeling warmer.

Save money on your fuel bills

Compare fuel prices across the UK to find your nearest and cheapest petrol stations by using the free cheap fuel finder tool at petrolprices.com

Can you save money on your water bill?

Could you cut down your water bills? Check now with Money Saving Expert.

Energy efficient recommendations to reduce bills

Check how much it costs to run your electrical appliances and learn more about energy efficient products with Sust-it.

How much does it cost to run?

Learn how much each of your appliances cost to run with this online activity.

Join an oil-buying club

Oil buying clubs in East Suffolk could help reduce the amount you pay as group buying yields better deals. Find your nearest oil buying club with The Oil-Club.