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28/09 - 31/03: Energy price cap increase support available Information on the energy price cap increase and support that is available
25/10 - 01/01: Your new and improved myAccount and what this means for you
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With the onset of winter, the aftermath of the pandemic and now the news surrounding increased fuel bills both inside and outside your home, it might seem like there is no end in sight.

We want you to know that support is on hand and that we have several ways to help our residents. Whether it be through our customer hub, with one of our partners or getting in touch with us directly by filling out our contact form, we are here, you are not on your own, and we are in this together.

From guidance to advice and support, money advice or even if you just need general support for you and/or your families' wellbeing, we have some amazing people who understand and can provide quick and simple advice.

Help and support for a Better Day

The first place to check is the help and support section of this website where you can use the drop down menus to select the support you require or, by scrolling down a bit further on that page there are specific sections you can click through to, from myMoney through to myWellbeing.

myMoney

Our myMoney pages have a lot of useful information and links to enable you to manage your money. Examples include links to benefit calculators, budget planners, and price comparison websites. Information and advice is also provided around topics such as bereavement, fraud, loan sharks and banking.

By supporting 1,111 customers through our myMoney Better Days programme, we have helped these customers increase their income by £550,900 in total and assisted them to manage £987,000 of debt.

Go to myMoney

Outside of Orbit

Outside of our services are several additional options which we have listed below:

Energy companies

Many energy companies offer schemes or grants to help with home heating and energy costs. Some are open to anyone, and you don’t always need to be a customer.

  • If you're in debt with an energy company, you may be eligible for the Energy Trust Charitable Grant from British Gas (you don’t need to be a customer).
  • Contact your existing supplier to find out what they offer.

Here is a list of companies who offer grants specifically for their customers:

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You could get £140 off your electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme which opened on the 18 October 2021.

Criteria

  • The grant is paid between 18 October and 31 March 2022 so you must stay with your supplier until it’s been paid. 
  • You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter. Your electricity supplier will be able to explain how to get the discount if you’re eligible and what you’ll get, for example: A voucher to top up your meter.

Eligibility

There are two ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme:

1. Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

How to apply

You should get a letter explaining how to get the discount if you qualify. This will be sent sometime between October and December 2021. If you don't get a letter and you think you are in the core group, contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

2. On a low income (includes certain means tested benefits) and if you meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.

This discount will not affect Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

How to apply

You must contact your energy supplier directly.

Cold Weather Payment

If the average temperature in an area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below over seven consecutive days you may be eligible for the Cold Weather Payment

Criteria

  • The grant is paid between 18 October and 31 March 2022 so you must stay with your supplier until it’s been paid. 
  • You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter. Your electricity supplier will be able to explain how to get the discount if you’re eligible and what you’ll get, for example: A voucher to top up your meter.

Eligibility

There are two ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme:

1. Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

How to apply

You should get a letter explaining how to get the discount if you qualify. This will be sent sometime between October and December 2021. If you don't get a letter and you think you are in the core group, contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

2. On a low income (includes certain means tested benefits) and if you meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.

This discount will not affect Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

How to apply

You must contact your energy supplier directly.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born on or before 26 September 1955 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills from a Winter Fuel Payment.

Criteria

  • The grant is paid between 18 October and 31 March 2022 so you must stay with your supplier until it’s been paid. 
  • You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter. Your electricity supplier will be able to explain how to get the discount if you’re eligible and what you’ll get, for example: A voucher to top up your meter.

Eligibility

There are two ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme:

1. Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

How to apply

You should get a letter explaining how to get the discount if you qualify. This will be sent sometime between October and December 2021. If you don't get a letter and you think you are in the core group, contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

2. On a low income (includes certain means tested benefits) and if you meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.

This discount will not affect Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

How to apply

You must contact your energy supplier directly.

What to do if your energy supplier goes out of business

  • Immediately take meter readings and note these down with the time and date they were taken.
  • Check your current bill and make a note of debit & credit amounts.
  • You will automatically be transferred by Ofgem to another supplier.

Winter Hardship Fund

­­­­You may have heard that the government is offering a Winter Hardship Fund. This will be administered by the Local Authority Revenue and Benefits Teams and will replace the Local Support Grant (formally known as the Winter Support Grant).  We will add more information about this as we get it.

Get in touch with us

If you feel like you need someone to talk this through with you, you can contact us using our self-referral form.
Contact us

Orbit Life - autumn edition

The latest edition of Orbit Life magazine is out now! This issue is our customer annual report special edition where you can find out all about how we have delivered services over the past year and on our Customer Promise to you. You can also be in with a chance to win £100 in shopping vouchers by taking part in our first ever Orbit Life reader survey – just in time for Christmas!

Find out more