If you spend more than 10% of your income on energy bills your are in fuel poverty.
Fuel poverty means you cannot affordably maintain an adequate level of warmth (21°C in the living room and 18°C in the other rooms).
The main causes of fuel poverty are:
Poor energy efficiency in the home
Fuel costs
Low household income
Dwelling size
Being in fuel poverty can mean living in cold, damp housing which can cause or aggravate serious health conditions, especially in the old and very young.
In Oldham over 12,000 households are estimated to be living in fuel poverty.
Grants and funding options - help with staying warm this winter
Benefits calculator - are you getting what you are entitled to?
Energy Saving Trust - for advice and grants
The British Gas Energy Trust - offers help to those trapped in debt
Home Heat Helpline
Phone: 0800 336 699
Home Heat Helpline can speak to your fuel supplier for you, and find out if you can get any extra financial help.
EDF Energy Trust Fund
Phone: 0173 3421 021
EDF Energy Trust Fund offer advice and grants.
Consumer Direct
Phone: 08454 040 506
Consumer Direct can help you find the right energy supplier, and Prepayment Meter disconnection worries.
Consider changing your payment method.
Paying by direct debit, in installments or using a prepayment meter can help manage your energy bills and may be cheaper.