Energy, is it best to pay something and ask to spread cost?

[WonderWoop]

Posting for a friend I'm supporting, but not sure what best advice here is.

She is on UC and basically her bills are more than she has left once rent is paid. Dec energy bill is £200, she could pay max half but not all. Her Nov bill was £100, which she paid. She was hoping for council tax support by now but hasn't had a response, and had to pay £160 to council to avoid bailiff. She's tried to get onto a water meter but the property isn't eligible so she's overpaying here (£45/pm), but we have exhausted any discount options there.

Should she pay £100 energy again as a gesture, and then contact them asking if she can pay the balance over the next months? Hoping weather improves and bills will naturally drop in the Spring. Not sure of implications of not paying full amount. Supplier is E.ON Next.

She definitely needs to contact them and ask for a payment plan. Payment plans with energy suppliers are interest free so definitely better than paying a bill on a credit card etc.

Please encourage her to get help from a charity like Citizens Advice or Stepchange.

It might not be the case nationally, but our local water company has special payment plans for those struggling to pay their bills and the local council has funding available through certain charities that can help with gas/electricity/solid fuel bills.

As part of the process, they can make sure that your friend is claiming all the benefits that she is entitled to.

Thank you both, will do on both fronts

@WonderWoop

My property couldnt have a water meter fitted when I requested one. United utilities told me that due to this I was entitled to the single person tariff as I lived alone. It made quite a reduction to my water bill. If your friend lives alone they can request this.

Agree about the assessed charge, (I think it's called) if she can't have a water meter. We get a small discount off rates because we're a childfree couple in a 2 bed house that could be occupied by a family with 1/2 DC.

As for energy, get her to have a look at the Moneysaving Expert advice and do everything that is relevant.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/how-to-get-help-if-you-re-struggling-with-your-energy-bills-/

She definitely needs to talk to her energy company and ask for the available help. In a way it's good that she has a bill that she can't pay because that is likely to make her eligible for the available grants.