All energy suppliers have to offer their most vulnerable customers cheaper tariffs. These are called social tariffs and offer cheaper energy deals and extra free services to certain customers. You may qualify for a social tariff if you are over 60, on means tested benefits or are on a  low income.

If you think you qualify for a social tariff contact your energy supplier for more details.  You can also see what social tariffs and other benefits you may qualify for by checking our Help Finder.

Social tariffs currently available

British Gas – Essentials Combined

To be eligible for Essentials Combined you must have an income of less than £15,000 per year and must be:

• in receipt of Disability Allowance
• or Assistance Allowance
• or be over 70 on pensions credit
• or suffer from a terminal illness

The tariff is on average 16 per cent cheaper than the standard tariffs and could save duel fuel consumers an average of £122 per year.

The tariff includes:

• customised customer services
• dedicated helpline
• extra care flag
• quality of life assessment
• charity partner referrals
• ESR assessment
• free insulation and CERT products
• account assessment
• benefits health check
• referral to Money Advice Trust/BGET

To apply telephone: 0800 072 5230.

British Gas – Energy Trust

This is an independently run charitable trust which British Gas has set up which can help consumers reduce or clear their energy debts.

It may also be able to assist with other essential household bills or costs.

To apply you must be an existing customer of British Gas.

To apply telephone: 01733 421 060.

EDF Energy – Energy Assist

To be eligible for Energy Assist you must be a customer of EDF Energy and spend more than 10 per cent of your total net annual household income on annual household energy costs, or be in receipt of Income Support and/or receive Pension Credit benefits. Eligible consumers regardless of payment method are charged on the same tariff as direct debit customers, plus there is an annual discount of £75 for dual fuel customers (or £37.50 for single fuel customers)

The tariff includes free:

• energy efficiency advice
• or heavily discounted energy efficiency measures (eg insulation, draught proofing, light bulbs etc.)
• benefits entitlement check

To apply telephone: 0800 269 450.

EDF Energy – Energy Trust

This is an independently run charitable trust which EDF Energy has set up which can help consumers reduce or clear their energy debts. It may also be able to assist with other essential household bills or costs.

To apply you must be an existing customer of EDF Energy.

To apply telephone: 01733 421 060.

E.ON Energy – WarmAssist

To be eligible for Warm Assist you must be aged 60 or above and in receipt of Pension Credit, Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, or have a high energy consumption arising out of a medical condition (at E.ON Energy’s discretion).

The tariff includes:

• up to 15 per cent discount on standard electricity and gas prices
• energy efficiency audit
• energy efficiency measures including free installed cavity wall and loft insulation up to £370
• benefits entitlement check
• access to E.ON’s Caring energy Fund providing grants to install heating systems and the purchase of essential appliances
• energy saving pack
• easy referral to other support agencies and registration with E.ON’s Priority Service Register

To apply telephone: 0800 404 6287.

npower – Spreading Warmth Tariff

To be eligible for Spreading Warmth you must have a gross annual household income below £13,500 and someone in the household is: 60 or over, disabled, chronically sick, or a child under 16.

Spreading Warmth is npower’s social tariff and is their cheapest tariff regardless of payment method. The tariff currently offers average annual savings compared to their standard prices of over 20 per cent for the dual fuel cash / cheque and prepayment customer. 

To apply telephone: 0808 172 6999.

npower – First Step Scheme

The First Step Scheme offers advice and help if you’re struggling to pay your npower bills. The scheme offers:

• advice about paying npower bills
• First Step advisors will work with consumers on a one-on-one basis to help them manage their energy bills
• the advisors will set up a payment plan that suits the consumers circumstances, and provide advice on how to save energy and money around the home

Some consumers may be eligible for help from the First Step Fund, which could clear all or part of the debt owed. If eligible, the debt will be placed on hold for an agreed period of time, as long as the consumer commits to a payment plan and doesn’t default on payments. After an agreed period of time (no less than six months) the First Step fund may write off all, or some, of a consumers debt. If the consumer is in quite a lot of debt we may clear it in several instalments – as long as regular payments are maintained.

To apply telephone: 0808 172 6999.

Scottish Power – Fresh Start

To be eligible for Fresh Start you must be 60 or over and in receipt of qualifying benefits. The tariff offers consumers access to their current best tariff price which is equivalent to discount online direct debit rates.

The tariff includes:

• benefits check to ensure consumers are claiming all the benefits they are eligible for
• energy efficiency advice

To apply telephone: 0845 2700 700.

Scottish and Southern Energy (also known as Southern Electric, Scottish Hydro or SWALEC) – Energyplus Care

To be eligible for Energyplus care you must be an existing customer of Scottish and Southern Energy and spend 15 per cent of your total household income on your energy bills, Assessment of eligibility will include a review of the type of property and its energy efficiency status; income or benefits received and disability or chronic illness. 

Energyplus Care gives you up to 20 per cent discount on current fuel prices, regardless of which payment method you use.

The tariff includes free:

• energy efficiency advice to help save even more money on future bills
• energy efficiency measures, from low energy light bulbs to a free fridge or a discounted fridge/freezer
• benefit entitlement check

To apply telephone: 0800 622 838.

Scottish and Southern Energy – Winter Care Rebate

The Winter Care Rebate Scheme is offered to those who are not eligible for the Energyplus Care tariff. If you are identified as experiencing difficulties with your fuel bills and are spending 10 per cent or more of your income on fuel costs, you will be eligible for a £50 rebate for each account held by the supplier.