E.ON Next is supporting our most vulnerable customers this winter.
This winter we want to help as many of our most vulnerable customers, to help them take control of their energy usage, and encourage a sustainable, financially positive future. That's why we launched the Winter Affordability Support Scheme so that eligible customers could get discounted energy and we'd write off vulnerable customers’ debt. We've managed to help tens of thousands of customers reduce their energy bills and will wipe off millions of pounds worth of debt from their accounts at the end of the scheme. Our team of vulnerability experts identified customers who need extra support to get through this winter. We reached out to them to offer support and financial help. The Winter Affordability Support Scheme is now closed to new applications. We are still processing customers who we've been in contact with directly and will support them as promised.
Other support for customers is still available through a range of initiatives, such as our E.ON Next Pledge tariff which will track the price cap and remain £50 below the cap at average annual consumption, our E.ON Next Energy Fund and our free insulation offer as part of the Great British Insulation Scheme (subject to eligibility, check here). More financial help and support can be found on our payment & debt page.
We’re rolling out an £80m+ package of support for our most vulnerable customers over winter, as outlined to the House of Commons Select Committee in September 2023. Customers do not need to get in touch, we have been contacting eligible people directly with information on how to sign up and the benefits they can receive. The scheme is no longer accepting new applications.
Winter Affordability Support Scheme.
Through our new ‘Winter Support’ scheme, E.ON Next is funding up to 50% of eligible customers’ energy bills from the time they sign up through to the end of winter in March 2024. This offer is available exclusively to existing E.ON Next customers on low incomes (i.e. household income of less than £19,000 a year) and customers who have certain medical dependency needs and a household income of less than £31,000 a year. As part of this package E.ON Next will also write off debt an existing customer has on joining the scheme up until 31 March 2024. This scheme is closed to new applications.
We identified a number of customers who could be eligible for our help and contacted them directly. Those customers could have a low affordability or significant reliance on energy because of medical needs - and we’ll help them start afresh.
We’ll offer eligible customers with no energy debt 25% off our standard variable prices from the point at which you sign up for the scheme until the 31 March 2024.
We’ll offer eligible customers with an energy debt on joining the scheme 50% off our standard variable prices from the point at which you sign up for the scheme until the 31 March 2024 - and with the promise that their debt as of 30 September 2023 will be removed, if all payments are made, up until 31 March 2024.
Eligibility and terms & conditions can be found here. This scheme is closed to new applications.
We will continue to lobby the government for targeted financial support, such as a social tariff, to be implemented across the industry. In addition, we have a range of other support available, such as our E.ON Next Pledge tariff which will track the price cap and remain £50 below the cap at average annual consumption, our E.ON Next Energy Fund and our free insulation offer as part of the Great British Insulation Scheme (subject to eligibility, check here).
Who is eligible?
Our Energy Specialists contacted customers who could be eligible via post, text, email, and phone, and they’ll work directly with them to check they are eligible for our support. Only existing customers are eligible, who have the following apply to them:
Either:
Eligible for Warm Home Discount Core groups 1 & 2, Broad group Scotland, customers previously eligible for Broad group in England & Wales. or
Energy used to operate medical equipment (existing vulnerability) and a household income of under £31,000. or
You have an annual household income less than £19,000 and an income and expenditure (I&E) deficit.
Agree to have a Smart meter installed.
Pay for your energy by fixed monthly Direct Debit (for non prepayment). If your Direct Debit fails or you cancel it we may switch you to our standard variable tariff.
(Core group 1: Customers in receipt of the guaranteed element of pension credit. Core group 2: low-income customers with high energy costs.)
The Winter Affordability Support Scheme is now closed to new applications.
As well as this Winter Affordability Support Scheme, we’ll also continue to pay into our E.ON Next Energy Fund and charity partnerships, provide emergency top up support for our vulnerable prepayment customers and we’ve also invested in additional colleagues to our vulnerability team.
We’re committed to supporting our most vulnerable customers through the cost of living crisis and providing an exceptional and efficient service for all of our customers – even more when the weather gets colder, and our help is needed the most.
Eligibility and terms & conditions can be found here. This scheme is closed to new applications.
Struggling to pay.
If you are struggling to pay your bills we are here to support you. From free debt advice from our partner StepChange, to grants from the E.ON Next Energy Fund that will help you pay your energy bills or replace essential appliances. Find out more about the support on offer and see if you are eligible for help with your energy bills.