Getting help with your bills

We’ve been living with inflation – the rising cost of goods and services – for some months now. For most of us, higher living costs have left household budgets dented as we grapple with extortionate costs on everything.

But there is help – this month,

Kalpana explains how you can reduce your bills.

BROADBAND & MOBILE

If your broadband or mobile bill is high, then you may be able to take advantage of what is known as a social tariff, saving you around £250 a year.

Social tariffs are discounted tariffs available to households on low income and receiving benefits such as Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance.

However, providers don’t shout about these. If you think you could be eligible, contact your provider and see if you can switch to one. You can find a full list of social media tariffs on Ofcom’s website by visiting ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecomsand-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-andbilling/social-tariffs.

ENERGY COSTS

We’ve all had some protection from rising energy bills with the government’s Energy Price Guarantee which sets a cap on the unit price for energy. But, for most people, energy continues to be one of their biggest bills – and if it is a bill you are struggling to pay, you can ask for help.

Firstly, call your supplier and explain you are unable to keep up with your payments. Ofgem rules mean suppliers must offer payment plans you can afford. You can also ask for ‘emergency credit’ if you use a prepayment meter and can’t top up. You can even ask for a break in payments or a reduced monthly direct debit. Some energy companies also offer hardship funds.

CREDIT CARDS

If you are accumulating interest on a credit card and only able to make the minimum payment each month, then it is worth seeing if you can shift your debt to a 0% balance transfer card, where you can get over two years to pay off your debt without having to pay interest.

Take a look at our sister site Go.compare’s eligibility checker to see what deal you could be accepted for (gocompare.com/credit-cards/ balance-transfer-credit-cards).

If you’re struggling to make minimum repayments, call your provider and explain – they can help come up with a more affordable repayment plan.

MORTGAGES

With interest rates continuing to creep up over the last year, we’re all facing higher mortgage costs as a result. If you are unable to keep up with payments, contact your mortgage provider. Banks must do everything they can to help consumers during the cost of living crisis, so you should call your bank to see how it could help – you could get a payment break or reduced payments for a while.

Debt is never as bad as it may seem, and once you get help there is always a way out of it