What to do if you are in debt to your energy supplier

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In this guide

Get a prepayment meter

Prepayment meters can be requested to make sure that you do not fall into debt in the first place, you load a certain amount of credit onto it and you can then use an equivalent amount of energy. The downside is that once it runs out so will your energy, and they are also more expensive than a normal tariff. They can also be issued by an energy company for households that are already in arrears to prevent them falling into more debt.

Contact your supplier

Once you have noticed that you are in arrears the first step you will want to take is to contact your energy supplier. The sooner you do this the sooner you can explain your situation and put some sort of plan in place to get it paid off. 

Most companies will offer you a plan based on what you can pay back, so it’s worth making a note of current outgoings and income so you and the energy provider can work out a plan that works. These energy deals can involve payments made weekly, fortnightly, or monthly and will be split between paying for the energy you are currently using and paying off your debt. The most important thing is agreeing to a plan with your energy company that you are going to be able to afford - if you default on your plan it will make any future negotiation much harder.

If you have exhausted all options and need help there are various groups that you can get in touch with that have been set up for this exact purpose. For example, you can contact the citizens advice bureau who are willing to negotiate with the energy companies on your behalf.

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch to a cheaper tariff?

Can I switch energy provider if I am in debt?

Can I get cut off?

• Someone with a disability
• Someone with long term health problems
• Severe financial problems
• Young children

Will not paying my bills affect my credit rating?