You may be eligible for free support from your energy supplier by signing up to their priority services register.
It’s a free service that makes sure extra help is available to people who need it like pensioners, people who need power for essential medical equipment or those who need help in a power cut. Alternatively, you might be struggling to access your payment meter or read small print on your bills.
The register helps energy suppliers know which customers need extra support. This can be because of your age, disability, a problem with your mobility, if you have an illness, suffer from mental health problems, have communication needs, or there have been changes in your life (such as pregnancy or if you have children under five).
There may also be other circumstances, so it’s worth asking.
All you need to do is contact your energy supplier and tell them about your situation. If you’re eligible they can help with things like advance notice of power cuts, priority support in an emergency, or sending bills to a family member or carer.
To get help from your supplier or network operator, simply contact your energy supplier(s) via phone, website or app and ask to be put on their Priority Services Register.
If you have different suppliers for gas and electricity, you need to contact them both. If you switch supplier in the future, you’ll need to register again.
You can get extra support if you:
- Are disabled or have a long-term health condition
- Have a hearing or sight condition
- Have a mental health condition
- Are recovering from an injury
- Are pregnant or have children under five living with you
- Have extra communication needs (such as if you don’t speak or read English well)
- Need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply
- Have reached your state pension age
- Have poor or no sense of smell
- Would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency
You might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation is not listed – for example, if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital.
Find out more about the Priority Services Register on the Ofgem website or Energy Networks Association: Be Winter Ready.