The price of electricity and gas has doubled recently, and there's the real possibility of more price rises to come. Keeping warm and managing energy bills this winter is a concern for many. 

We know the Government is providing a discount to all households through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. This may still not be enough to offset the increased energy costs.

If you’re worried about paying your energy bills, or even going without heating or food there is support available.

On this page:

Customer Support Fund

We've launched a fund that offers small grants to customers to help with the increased cost of living and energy bills. If you’re an mhs homes customer and have savings of less than £500 you can apply. It can include:

  • A £50 emergency payment for gas or electricity prepayment meters.
  • Up to £400 to get your gas reconnected (if you have been capped)
  • Up to £400 to pay for the running cost of life saving home medical equipment
  • £50 food voucher and/or referral to the food bank
  • Purchase of equipment to help keep you warm or improve energy efficiency such as:
    • Draft excluders
    • Electric blankets
    • Power saving devices
    • Oil filled radiators
    • Washing lines

Funding is limited and we'll need to take some details from you too so please contact us to apply. Visit our Customer Support Fund page for more details.

Household support fund

The Household Support Fund provides support to vulnerable households. Funded by the UK government, the scheme is for those most in need to help with the rising cost of living. 

The fund can be used for:

  • food and home essentials
  • school uniforms
  • energy
  • water
  • essentials linked to energy and water
  • housing costs in exceptional circumstances, but not mortgages

More information, eligibility and closing dates can be found on the links below:

Medway Council Household Support Fund 

Kent County Council Household Support Fund 

Free energy advice

We're offering free energy saving advice to our customers. We've partnered with Green Doctors who can offer a free visit to your home or a telephone call. They can help you to save money on household bills and give you guidance on keeping warm.  

If you would like to talk to a Green Doctor or arrange a visit please contact us.

Energy saving hints and tips

There are lots of websites giving advice on how to save money and stay warm this winter. We think some of the best are:

Energy Bills Support Scheme

The Energy Bills Support Scheme provides a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with their energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023. Visit the gov.uk website for more information on Getting the Energy Bills Support Scheme discount.

If you’re on a smart meter or pay by direct debit you don’t need to do anything as you’ll receive the payments automatically. 

Traditional pre-payment meter vouchers

If you’re on a traditional pre-payment meter you’ll receive vouchers from your energy supplier to help with energy costs. The vouchers will be sent to you by text message, email or post. You need to redeem the voucher from your energy supplier at a Post Office or PayPoint shop and add it to your top-up key or card.

You only have three months to use these vouchers, after which they will expire.

If you’ve not received your vouchers or payments then contact your energy supplier immediately. If your details aren’t up to date, you might not receive them.

Worried about your bills

If you're worried you won’t be able to pay your bills, heat your home, or afford food please talk to us. Our team are here for you and there's lots of ways we can help and one of our trained team will be able to support you.