Help with
paying your bills

We know that sometimes it can be difficult to find the money to pay for bills. Please get in touch if you’re struggling to pay and we promise we’ll do all we can to help.

If you’re worried about your finances, you can chat online to our dedicated financial support team by clicking the button below.


Breathing space

If you need some time to get back on your feet, we might be able to pause your payments for a short while. You may be eligible if you’ve had a change in personal circumstances with an unexpected impact on your income, such as illness, redundancy, or bereavement.

If you’d like to benefit from Breathing Space, contact an independent financial advice company. We’ve listed some of them below.

Payment plans

A payment plan can help spread the cost of your heating and hot water over flexible payment periods to make it more manageable.

We’ll work with you to understand what you can afford and find the best payment plan. Together, we’ll agree on a fixed monthly amount to be paid over a set period.

Part of the money will go towards repaying your debt, and part will cover your current heating and hot water usage. This way, you can gradually pay off what you owe.

Benefits Calculator

Are you receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to?

Turn2us are a National charity who help people when times are tough. Use their Benefits Calculator to find out which welfare benefits you may be entitled to to maximise your income.

If you have an outstanding balance

Daily standing charges will be added to your account even if you’re not using heating or hot water. While we’ll do all we can to help, you do still need to pay for the service you use.

If you have an outstanding balance, we’ll send reminders. If you don’t respond, we may take further action to recover the money you owe, which could include:

  • Asking a debt collection agency to recover the money
  • Asking the County Court to issue a claim against you
  • Switching you to Pay As You Go or disconnect your service

Did you know about our Priority Services Register?

We know some customers need extra help due to disabilities, vulnerabilities or changing/challenging circumstances. There are ways we can help.

Is there something else
we can help with?

We offer flexible ways to pay, that work for you.

Direct Debit

Pay when you get your monthly bill

Need help with paying your bills? 

We understand that sometimes it can be difficult to find the money to pay for heating your home.

We promise:

  • We’ll do all we can to help
  • We’ll work with you to agree a plan
  • We’ll give you details of places you can get independent advice and support

Is there something else
we can help with?

Save heating,
save money

You could reduce the amount of heating you use and save money on your bills by making some small changes around your home.


If you’re struggling to pay your heat and hot water bills, we may be able to help.

Is there something else
we can help with?

Priority Services
Register

We understand that we have customers who may need some extra support, so we’ve developed a range of free services to help make it easier for them.


What is the Priority Services Register?

This is a free service that gives extra help to customers who might need it.

We offer a range of services and support, from sending out bills in an alternative format, speaking with someone else about your account on your behalf and helping you find a way to pay for your bills.

We’ll find the right support for you, no matter your age, health or life circumstances.

We’re always improving our services to better support customers who need extra help, both now and in the future. Our Vulnerability Customer Strategy details what we’re doing to help and support anyone in a vulnerable scenario.

Who we can help?

Joining our Priority Services Register is easy; you can contact us or login to your account to update your preferences.

You’re deaf, hard of hearing or have a sight difficulty

English isn’t your first language

You have a low income or are struggling financially

You’re pregnant or have a child under five years old

You have restricted mobility, or a disability, or you need to use vital medical equipment

You have learning difficulties

You’re experiencing mental heath issues

You’ve gone through a recent bereavement, break-up or job loss

You’re over 65 years old

You have difficulty speaking

If you want extra reassurance when we visit your property

If you need help managing your account

Services we offer

  • We’ll arrange for someone of your choice to help you manage your account
  • We can provide a bill reading service (we’ll send you an audio file of your bill in the post)
  • We can provide bills in large print or braille
  • We’ll work with you to find a flexible payment plan when possible
  • If English isn’t your first language, we can provide translated bills or documents
  • You can change our website to meet your needs
with our Recite Me toolbar
  • We’ll let you know as far in advance as possible if there’s going to be a supply interruption in your area
  • We’ll offer you priority fault repair and provide an alternative supply of heating if the supply is interrupted for more than 12 hours
  • We’ll read your meter within five working days, if you’re finding it tricky and would like our help
  • We’ll never suspend your heating and hot water if you are listed on our Priority Services Register

How to sign up to our Priority Services Register

If you think you need extra help and you’d like to be added to our Priority Services Register, please contact us, or log in to your online account.

If you want help
managing your account

If you’d like a trusted person to help you with your account, you can nominate them to 
deal with us on your behalf. This can include checking and paying your bills, booking appointments, or making a complaint. Just give us a call or use the third-party nomination form, and we’ll arrange it.

If you want extra reassurance when we visit your property

Unfortunately, sometimes criminals who may pretend to work for utility companies try to gain entry to people’s homes. We refer to them as ‘Bogus Callers’.

For added protection and peace of mind, we operate a doorstep password scheme which is free and open to all our customers. Once you have set up a password, any employee from Metropolitan will need to quote this before entering your home.

If you want help with your heating and hot water bills

We understand that managing bills can be tricky. If you’re worried about paying your bills or need extra support, we’re here to help you. There are a number of ways we can help, including setting up a payment plan, or giving you some breathing space. 

Is there something else
we can help with?