Extra help from energy suppliers
You, or the person you care for, may be able to get extra help from your gas and electricity suppliers.
England, Wales and Scotland
You can sign up with your supplier’s Priority Services Register if you are an older person, disabled, or have a hearing or visual impairment.
Once you are signed up to the Priority Services Register you may be able to get:
- Free energy advice
- A free quarterly meter reading if you can’t read your meter.
- Bills sent to a relative, carer or friend.
- Your bills and meter readings in a braille, large print, audio tape, textphone or typetalk if you’re visually impaired.
- Advance notice if your supply is going to be interrupted.
- Priority re-connection if your supply is interrupted.
- Alternative facilities for cooking and heating if your supply is interrupted.
- Extra help to use your meter or appliances.
- Annual gas safety checks.
Contact your supplier to see if you, or the person you care for, can join the Priority Services Register and what extra help they offer.
You need to sign up with both suppliers if you get your gas and electricity from different suppliers. Remember to sign up again if you move to a new supplier.
Northern Ireland
If you live in Northern Ireland each energy supplier has a Customer Care Register that helps older people and those with disabilities. This is very similar to the Priority Services Register in the rest of the UK and may offer:
- Bills and meter readings in Braille, large type or audio tape.
- Home appointments on request to discuss bills, queries or complaints.
- Controls or adaptors to make your meter or appliances easier to use.
- A free visit to read your meter if you can’t read it yourself.
- Bills sent to a carer or relative.
- Free gas safety check or boiler service.
The Consumer Council can let you now what your supplier offers.
You can also register for the Northern Ireland Electricity’s Critical Care Register if you rely on electrical equipment for your day-to-day care. They will let you know if you there is going to be a planned power cut. If there is an unplanned power cut they will call you and keep in regular contact with you.