Fuel Poverty Crisis

by | Nov 20, 2025 | News

Support for People with Cystic Fibrosis Facing Fuel Poverty or Fuel Debt

Living with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) often means higher household energy use — from keeping homes warm to help with lung health, running essential medical equipment, or managing additional washing and cleaning. With energy prices still high, many people with CF and their families are struggling with fuel costs or have already built up debt with their supplier.

To help, we’ve put together an overview of schemes, local support, and practical steps for anyone affected. If you are worried about affording your energy bills, you are not alone — and help is available.

National Support Available

Warm Home Discount

A £150 credit applied to your electricity bill for eligible low-income households. Many suppliers also extend this support to gas accounts. Warm Home Discount

Energy Supplier Hardship Funds

Some energy companies offer grants to clear or reduce energy debt, even if they are not your current supplier. These may include:

  • British Gas Energy Trust
  • E.ON Next Energy Fund
  • OVO Energy Fund
  • Scottish Power Hardship Fund
    (Each has its own eligibility rules, usually based on low income and financial hardship.)

Priority Services Register

People with CF can join the Priority Services Register for free. This provides:

  • Extra support in case of power cuts
  • Advanced notice of outages
  • Meter-reading support
  • Accessible communication options

Every energy supplier and network operator offers this service.

Household Support Fund 

Most local councils offer a household support fund. Check online for details and eligibility criteria.

Local Support in Key CF Care Areas

Blackpool

  • Household Support Fund (Blackpool Council)

    • Blackpool Council’s Household Support Fund provides help to households struggling with energy or water costs. Blackpool Council+1

    • Eligible households can receive:

      • £200 credit for one- or two-person households, or

      • £300 for households with three or more people. Blackpool Council

    • Awards are made as a credit on your energy or water bill, so the money goes directly to your supplier. Blackpool Council

  • Little Van of Warm (Cosy Homes, Lancashire)

    • The “Little Van of Warm” is a mobile advice service that visits homes across Lancashire, including Blackpool. It offers face-to-face energy advice, simple upgrades (e.g., draught-proofing, LED bulbs), and referrals to grant schemes.  Useful for households with long-term health conditions, older people, or anyone struggling to make their home more energy efficient.

  • Cadent / Blackpool Coastal Housing – Warm & Healthy Homes

    • Blackpool Coastal Housing is running a “Centre for Warmth” project supported by Cadent. The scheme provides: energy advice, help to access the Warm Home Discount, assistance with managing energy debt, advice on insulation, and support with damp or condensation. This is aimed at fuel-poor households and those on low income.

  • Fairer Warmth App (Lancashire)

    • The “Fairer Warmth” app has been launched for Lancashire residents (including Blackpool).  It offers personalised energy-saving advice, eligibility checks for grants (e.g. ECO, Warm Homes), and retrofit funding options. Very user-friendly tool to help navigate the support landscape.

  • Free Energy Advice (Lancashire-Wide)

    • Lancashire Women’s Centre provides a free energy advice service for vulnerable residents. Lancashire Women They can help with energy-efficiency checks, applying for grants, and managing fuel debt. Home visits are available, plus personalised plans to reduce bills and improve warmth.

Birmingham

  • Birmingham City Council Household Support Fund – emergency help with energy or essential costs.bvsc.org

  • BrumEnergy Advice: A local alliance (Birmingham Voluntary Service Council, Community Energy Birmingham, NEA) offering free home energy and benefits advice for residents with health conditions or disabilities. bvsc.org

Liverpool

  • Household Support Fund (HSF): Liverpool City Council’s current HSF round includes support for energy costs. Liverpool City Council

  • Liverpool Citizens Support Scheme: Offers gas and electricity vouchers for those in urgent or crisis need. Liverpool City Council

  • Third‐Sector Energy Grant: Non-profit organisations in Liverpool (community hubs) can apply for a one-off grant of up to £500 to cover rising energy costs. Liverpool City Council

Newcastle

  • Home Energy Advice North East: Free tailored energy saving advice, home assessment, and support to access grants for energy efficiency improvements. Newcastle City Council+1

  • Energy Advice – Citizens Advice Newcastle: Specialist advisers can help with energy debt, understanding bills, and accessing energy support schemes like the Warm Home Discount. Citizens Advice Newcastle

  • Warm Homes Local Grant (Newcastle): Eligible households (income-based or in certain neighbourhoods) may get funding for insulation, low-carbon heating, and other home improvements. Newcastle City Council

Yorkshire

  • Warm Homes: Local Grant

  • Household Support Fund 

  • Warm & Well (North Yorkshire)

    • A project run by Citizens Advice that provides home visits, energy-saving advice, and direct help accessing grants. cany.org.uk+1 If you are struggling to afford heating, this is a good local point of contact.

If You’re Already in Fuel Debt

You may be able to access:

  • Energy supplier hardship funds
  • Debt write-off schemes (depending on circumstances)
  • Payment plans or reduced payments arranged directly with your supplier
  • Support from local welfare assistance schemes, which may offer fuel vouchers or bill support
  • In some areas, charitable emergency vouchers distributed through local advice agencies, councils, or energy-advice organisations

Who to Contact First

If you are struggling, these steps can help:

  1. Speak to your supplier
    Let them know you’re vulnerable due to CF. They must offer support and can’t disconnect you during winter.
  2. Join the Priority Services Register
    This gives extra protections and helps suppliers understand your health needs.
  3. Check your local council’s support schemes
    Many councils across the UK are still operating Household Support Funds.
  4. Reach out to a local energy-advice charity
    They can help you apply for grants, negotiate debt, and reduce your energy costs.

When choosing an energy company:

  • Use a comparison site and plug in your postcode + usage to find the best deal for you.

  • Pay close attention to standing charges — some “cheap” tariffs have low usage rates but high fixed daily costs.

  • Check whether the deal is fixed or variable. A fixed deal gives security; variable may save short term but can go up or down.