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<p>The Government recently consulted on proposals to increase the amount that energy
companies pay to fund household energy efficiency improvements for low income and
vulnerable households to £450m by 2017 and up to £640m by 2018.</p><p> </p><p>Energy
companies are also required to provide over 2 million low income and vulnerable households
with a £140 rebate off their energy bill each winter, under the Warm Home Discount
Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>These proposals combined will see up to £1bn of support for
low income and vulnerable households each year from 2018.</p><p> </p><p>If suppliers
believe a domestic customer is having difficulty paying all or part of their energy
bills, they must offer facilities to make payments by: deductions direct from benefits,
known as Fuel Direct; regular instalments paid through a means other than a prepayment
meter; or, using a prepayment meter, where it is safe and reasonably practicable for
the customer to do so.</p><p> </p><p>It is important that customers who are experiencing
difficulties in paying their gas or electricity bills contact their supplier as soon
as possible to arrange a repayment plan that suits their needs.</p><p> </p>
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