Home Q&A: I cannot pay my electricity bill. What should I do?

Your power supplier will want to resolve the situation, and its staff will first engage with you to see if there is a way forward to spread payments and steadily clear the bill. File picture

Question

I have not been able to pay my electricity bill for the past two months. What should I do?

Answer

Struggling? You are not alone. According to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) The 13% of domestic electricity customers (over 300,000) and 25% of gas customers (over 175,000) were in arrears in April of this year. The first thing is to face your supplier. 

All suppliers comply with the European Energy Engage Code, and should do what they can to help you. Nothing good comes from running away from this situation. 

With utilities, evading the supplier could result in an interruption to the supply. That said, ESB Networks and Bord Gais will not disconnect your supply during winter (November 1-March 31 for vulnerable customers, December 9 to January 17 for the rest of us). 

With utilities, evading the supplier could result in an interruption to the supply.

Your power supplier will want to resolve the situation, and its staff will first engage with you to see if there is a way forward to spread payments and steadily clear the bill. 

The payment period is generally around 4-12 weeks, which won’t suit everyone. You could also agree to the installation of a pay-as-you-go meter (PAYG) to manage both the debt and the bills going forward. 

The CRU has announced that the debt recovery ratio on PAYG meters will be increased from 10% of a customer’s vend to 15%. You will be expected to meet your current bill together with managing payments on the payment plan. 

If you’re in receipt of certain social welfare payments, you may qualify for the household benefits package — €35 per month that can be put towards electricity bills or gas. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service offers free, confidential advice on debt and budget management; call 081 807 2000.

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