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Can I cut my energy bills with a social tariff?

Our energy expert says...

There are a couple of issues here; social tariffs and how to cut your bills.

Social tariffs were brought in to offer lower prices for vulnerable households and all the major energy suppliers offer these discounts.

Your own energy provider British Gas has its Essentials tariff, but all suppliers have their own special deals and you are free to pick the one you wish.

To be eligible for the tariff, you or someone in your home must be receiving one or more of a number of state benefits.

This is the full list is:

• Disability living allowance
• Pension Credit
• Housing benefit
• Attendance allowance
• War disablement pension which includes either a mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance
• Disablement pension which includes constant attendance allowance
• Child tax credit where the relevant income is £14,600 or less
• Working tax credit where the relevant income is £14,600 or less
• Council tax benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance

See our guide to social energy tariffs for more information on all the energy companies' schemes.

If you are unable to get a social tariff, there are some more ways you can cut your energy bills.

There is a simple way to lower your bills; have an online dual fuel energy deal and pay by direct debit.

If you switch from quarterly bills to monthly direct debit, you will receive an extra discount and energy companies’ cheapest deals are reserved for online customers and customers who buy both gas and electricity from them.

The difference in annual bills can be around £340.

At the moment, the cheapest energy providers are Ovo Energy and First Utility, both relatively new firms.

Average annual bills at Ovo Energy come in at £854 and First Utility’s average yearly charge is £889.

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If you have an energy query please email ourexpert@energychoices.co.uk