How to find free energy & debt advice in your community | Tenant news

Knowing where to find free energy and debt advice in your community can be tricky, but don’t worry, we’ve done some research and have found a few places that you can contact for help.

Local services

Your local council might be able to help you pay for things like energy and water bills, food and essential items such as clothes or an oven.

Each council may be able to offer help via welfare assistance or they may have a Household Support Fund. It's worth taking a look at their website or giving them a call to enquire.

Meanwhile, some local community centres or churches offer financial counselling and support for community members in need, or they will connect you with another organisation.

National charities

British Gas Energy Trust funds advice-giving organisations across England, which offer free support to help you avoid the burden of energy debt, make informed choices and improve your money management skills.

The Trust is currently working with the Post Office and British Gas to run in-person community pop-ups in Post Offices.

You’ll find a list of Trust-funded centres by region at https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/fuel-and-money-advice/.

Citizens Advice provides free energy advice and support as well as helping people who are in debt.

You can find your local centre at https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/ or use their chat service to speak to someone online. If you’d prefer to speak to someone on the phone, call 0800 144 8848.

StepChange offers debt advice and a range of debt solutions. It also has an online debt advice tool you can use to get guidance.

Age UK can advise on energy costs, debt and savings through their free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am to 7pm, every day.

Scope offers free debt and energy support services to disabled people and has a Disability Energy Support service to help you apply for support with bills. You can reach the Disability Energy Support helpline on 0808 801 0828. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm.

We can help

If you’re struggling with money and are worried about how you’re going to heat your home or pay for essential food, please ask your Neighbourhood Coordinator for help.

If you don’t know who that is, call our Customer Services Team on 0300 365 3100 or email direct@habinteg.org.uk to find out.