Energy bills are set to fall again this summer - but gas and electricity costs are still much higher than they used to be.

The Ofgem price cap will drop from £1,690 a year to £1,568 for the typical dual fuel household paying by direct debit. This will come into effect from July 1 until September 30. But with energy costs still higher compared to before the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many households will still struggle to keep on top of their bills.

You should keep in mind the Ofgem price cap does not put a limit on how much you can pay for energy - instead, it sets the unit rate price for gas and electricity, as well as the standing charges. There are also different rates for prepayment customers and those who pay on receipt of their bill.

Talk to your energy provider

Contact your energy provider as soon as possible if you can't pay your bill. Your supplier should be able to offer you tailored support, such as a payment plan, payment breaks and affordable debt repayments. It is also worth asking them if you're definitely on their cheapest deal.

Not paying your gas or electricity bill can result in damaging your credit score, court action and visits from debt collectors. If you're a vulnerable customer, you may be able to sign up to the Priority Services Register. This can include if you're a pensioner or if you have a long-term medical condition.

The help you could get includes advance notice of planned power cuts, priority support in an emergency and help with reading your meter. Speak to your energy supplier to get added to the register.

Emergency credit for prepayment customers

All energy suppliers offer small amounts of credit to prepayment customers so you don't run out of power. This is usually worth between £5 and £10, but some may offer more than this - for example, Utilita gives customers up to £15.

You usually need to have less than 50p for electricity or less than £2 for gas on your meter to access emergency credit. Do keep in mind you will need to pay the emergency credit back the next time you top up. Suppliers also offer "friendly credit" during certain times of the week where you won't be cut off.

This is typically between 6pm and 9pm Monday to Saturday, and all day on Sunday and bank holidays, but it does vary between suppliers. Again, you need to pay back anything you've used during this time. If you can't afford to top-up and you're facing self-disconnection, you may be able to get "additional support credit" from your supplier. This is generally available to vulnerable customers but the exact criteria is typically set by the energy supplier.

Apply for an energy hardship scheme

Most of the big energy firms have charitable hardship funds and grants that you may be eligible for if you’re struggling. For example, the British Gas Energy Trust offers help worth up to £2,000 and this can be accessed by any prepayment meter household - not just its customers - providing you meet the eligibility criteria.

Other firms that currently have active schemes include EDF, OVO Energy, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power. You may need to ask for help first through a free money help service such as Citizens Advice before you can access a hardship payment.

Check if you're eligible for Warm Home Discount scheme

You can get £150 off your electricity bill - normally credited directly to your energy account, or as a prepayment voucher - through the Warm Home Discount scheme. This scheme is currently closed but will reopen in October 2024. First, check if your supplier is part of the scheme on GOV.UK.

If your supplier is on that list, you should get the payment automatically if you, or your partner, received the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit. You should also get the discount automatically in England and Wales if you claim certain benefits and have high energy costs.

If you live in Scotland and you claim benefits, you’ll need to apply for the Warm Home Discount through your supplier under the “broader group” criteria. It is down to each supplier to decide who is eligible in Scotland.

See if you're able to get Cold Weather Payment

Cold Weather Payments are sent out when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C or below over seven consecutive days. Each payment is worth £25 - but it is possible to get multiple payments if you go through several spells of freezing weather.

This scheme is currently closed but will reopen in November 2024. You need to be living in England or Wales and claiming certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest to be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment. If you live in Scotland, you might be entitled to an annual £50 Winter Heating Payment instead.

Apply for Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is worth up to £300 and is awarded to pensioner households. The eligibility date changes every year - for winter 2023/24, you needed to have been born before September 25, 1957. This date changes each winter and the date for 2024/25 has not been confirmed yet.

You also need to have lived in the UK - although in some cases you can claim if you’ve moved abroad - for at least one day during a qualifying week in September. Again, the date for this qualifying week changes every year.

Energy charity help

Finally, several charities can offer you support and guidance if you are struggling to pay for your energy, or if you are in energy debt.

For wider debt help, speak to: