A package of support has been created for pre-payment meter customers in Suffolk who are struggling with their energy bills. 

Warm Homes Suffolk is a Suffolk wide Council partnership service, delivering energy efficiency support to low-income households affected by cost of living pressures. 

Supported by Suffolk's Collaborative Communities Board and funding from Public Health Suffolk's Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF), the service is now able to offer specific help for households struggling to pay their energy bills via a pre-payment meter, in addition to its existing support. 

The support covers the whole of Suffolk and is available for all residents, whether they are in social housing, council tenants, owner occupiers or private renters.

The Warm Homes Suffolk Service can check eligibility and support applications for grants to increase household energy efficiency, with measures such as loft and wall insulation to air source heat pumps, draught-proofing and more.

It is estimated that more than 24,000 people in Suffolk are pre-payment meter customers. 

The service will work with each individual to understand the pressures on their finances and the impact this is having on their lives. The service can carry out a home visit, as well as providing advice over the phone and by email. 

The COMF funding of £180,000 will enable this project to run for 12 months to provide the following:

• Income maximisation (through grants and benefits)
• Budgeting advice
• Help understanding bills and heating systems
• Support to reduce energy expenditure (By promoting social tariffs and support to switch suppliers)
• Improving household energy efficiency (By installing insulation, draught proofing, heating systems and solar panels)
• Facilitating switch away from prepaid meters if appropriate         

Councillor Bobby Bennett, Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member for Equality and Communities, said: "I am pleased that through the Collaborative Communities Board and Public Health COMF funding, we are able to offer Suffolk residents who use pre-payment meters this help with their energy bills, which will support people financially as well as reduce the Health risks associated with inadequately heated homes.

"If you are struggling to pay your energy bills or know someone who is, please get in touch."

Pre-payment meter customers who would like support can contact [email protected] to find out more, or call: Prepay East 07769 366229. 

Referrals can be made directly from households, voluntary sector and professionals to find prepay households who can benefit from an independent look at their bills. 

Warm Homes Suffolk also offers support and advice for residents who are not pre-payment meter customers.

To find out more about the support on offer, visit: https://www.warmhomessuffolk.org/

Cllr Bobby Bennett added: "Further details of cost of living support available for Suffolk residents and organisations can be found at www.suffolk.gov.uk/costofliving."