Help with Household Bills: (including help for; Utility Bills, Heating and Winter Fuel and Help with paying Council Tax)
Many constituents approach my office seeking advice and support about how they can manage their household bills or reduce debts they may have incurred with their utility providers. The following information provides advice and contact details which can help reduce your household bills, and manage debts associated with these
Gas, Electricity and Water
Since 2015 Energy companies have been required to put customers onto the cheapest available tariff suitable to their needs. If you are unsure whether you are on the cheapest tariff or you would like to compare the costs of your energy bills please contact your energy provider direct or visit the Money Saving Expert website at the following link:
You can also use price comparison tools to check your usage and costs for energy providers which are readily available on the internet by searching price comparison tools.
If you are on a low income or over a certain age you might also be able to receive help.
For more information on the schemes and payments available and whether you might be eligible please use the links below:
Additionally, for those struggling to pay energy debts, grants are available to help. Contact your energy supplier directly to find out more. If your energy supplier does not provide a grant scheme you can apply to the British Gas Energy Trust for help. These grants are available to everyone whether you are a British Gas Customer or not. To check if you are eligible use the following link: Grants Available – British Gas Energy Trust
Portsmouth Water
Portsmouth Water provides drinking water in the Portsmouth area with Southern Water providing wastewater services.
You might be able to reduce your water bills by transferring to a water meter. If this is something you are considering doing please visit the following link which provides helpful information on transferring to a water meter.
Switching to a Water Meter | Portsmouth Water
Portsmouth Water also operates a WaterSure Tariff for those on a water meter, in receipt of certain benefits, who live with children or where a member of the household has a medical condition that requires the use of a significant amount of water. To check if you might be eligible please visit:
Problems Paying? | Portsmouth Water
For those on low incomes, you might also be able to access the Helping Hand Tariff operated by Portsmouth Water which caps your Water Bill. For more information and how to apply please visit the following link:
Portsmouth Water – Helping Hand Tariff | CCW (ccwater.org.uk)
Portsmouth Water also offers an Arrears Assist Scheme where you can apply for help if you have arrears of £300 or more and have been making regular payments to your account. More information is provided in the following link at the Portsmouth Water website:
Problems Paying? | Portsmouth Water
You can call the Affordability and Debt Team at Portsmouth Water on 0800 4320534 for help and advice with making an application.
Southern Water
Southern Water also offers a range of help in meeting the costs of your water bill. These include:
- Caps to your bill if you have a water meter through WaterSure
- Ways of paying your bills directly through your benefits through Water Direct
- Help with paying off your debt through Newstart
- Help with a discount on future bills through Essentials
You might be eligible for a discount on your bill if:
- Your household income is low
- Someone in your household receives a means-tested benefit
- You have three or more children under 19 in your house
- Someone in your house requires more water due to a medical condition
- You haven’t made a payment for a while
As the cost-of-living increases, they offer a range of support to customers who may struggle to pay their bills. These include payment holidays, special tariffs, debt write-offs, bill reductions and grants for household items. More information can be found at their website.
You can contact Southern Water at https://www.southernwater.co.uk/help-advice/contact-us. Alternatively, you can call Southern Water for free on 0800 027 0363.
Help with paying Council Tax
The Local Council Tax Support Scheme helps some people with paying Council Tax. The amount of support you can get will depend on your income and personal circumstances.
To check your eligibility and make a claim contact Gosport Borough Council at benefits@gosport.gov.uk or call them on 02392 545325
In addition to the Council Tax Support Scheme some people and properties might be eligible for a discount or exemption from Council Tax. To check if this might apply to you; please visit the Portsmouth City Council website at the following link:
https://www.gosport.gov.uk/counciltax/discounts
Broadband and TV
For those on low incomes or in receipt of certain benefits there are low income broadband packages available which provide a basic broadband connection with some packages offering to waive connection fees. For more information about the packages available and to check eligibility please visit Uswitch at
Broadband deals for low income families
Further advice and information on how to reduce broadband and TV costs is also provided at the Money Saving Expert website at the following link
Broadband & TV Guides
Mobile Phones
Most advisory organisations recommend contacting your provider directly for help if your struggling with your mobile phone bill. Your provider may be able to help by sorting a payment plan, reducing your bill, giving you more time to pay, increasing your data or download limit or moving you to a contract which suits your needs better.
Detailed advice is provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau in relation to options that might be available if you are struggling to pay your mobile phone bill on their website at
If you’re struggling to pay your mobile, phone, internet or TV bill – Citizens Advice
Alternatively, you can call the Citizen’s Advice Consumer helpline Line directly for help on 0808 223 1133.