How we can help with energy bill payments

We don't want anyone to stop using energy because they can't afford it. Choose your payment type below for your guide on taking steps to manage your payments.

Pay on Receipt

I pay regularly when I get my bill

Save £106 per year - pay by Direct Debit

Paying a fixed amount by Direct Debit is cheaper because the unit rates are slightly lower than what you currently pay. Login to you account to see what you could save if you switch to monthly Direct Debit.

Set up a Direct Debit

Using less energy at home will lower bills

Your bills are calculated based on the energy you use at home. So reducing the energy you use at home and will help reduce your bills.

Energy saving tips

Take control of your energy usage with a Pay As You Go Meter

A Pay As you Go Meter can help you budget as you pay for your energy before you use it. You’ll also benefit from a reduced unit rate and can pay back any balance you currently owe at an affordable rate through the meter.

Chat to us today

A smart meter helps you keep control of your energy use

A smart meter can help you track how much gas and electricity you're using throughout the day and help you see where you could save energy.

Book a smart meter install

British Gas Energy Trust

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills the British Gas Energy Trust provides millions of people with advice and support.

Apply for a grant

If you pay when you get your bill and simply can't afford it

As soon as you let us know about your circumstances we can find a way to help you.

We can help

What happens if I don't pay?

We want to do everything we can to help you pay. But if there’s an outstanding balance on your account and we can’t get hold of you, we may have to take extra steps.

Learn more

Need to speak to us?

Call us on 0800 294 8604
We're available 
Mon - Fri: 8am - 6pm 
Sat: 9am - 2pm 

Pay As You Go

Pay As You Go

Can't top up until tomorrow? Use emergency credit

All our Pay As You Go meters have the option to provide £10 of Emergency Credit. Also, if you have a Smart meter or an electricity key meter and you’re about to run out of credit on Sundays, English Bank Holidays or between 6pm and 9am Monday to Saturday, our Friendly Credit won’t disconnect you.

Help with emergency credit

How is my credit being used

A Pay As You Go meter works in a similar way to a pay-as-you-go phone. You top up the meter with credit to pay for your energy. Then as you use the gas and electricity in your home, the credit is used up.

The meter also has a daily standing charge that’s taken from the credit on your meter. This covers the delivery of energy to your home through cables, pipes and meters.

If you've agreed to repay a balance through your meter, this will be deducted from the credit too.

More on how your meter collects debt

A smart meter helps you keep control of your energy use

A smart meter can help you track how much gas and electricity you're using throughout the day and help you see where you could save energy.

Book a smart meter install

Special circumstances we should know about?

The more we know about you, the more we can help. Let us know about anything that we should take into consideration, such as vulnerable members of your family, please use this link.

Priority Services Register

Is a Pay As You Go meter still right for you?

Pay-as-you-go may not work for everyone, and it’s important to consider your needs. It might not be the best option if you rely on medical equipment that requires a continuous electricity supply or have difficulty accessing or topping up your meter.

With Smart Pay As You Go, you can top up online or on the app without going to a store.

If you’re struggling to top up your meter or you are struggling to pay your outstanding debt, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to help.

Also, if you have health difficulties, access needs, disabilities, or find yourself living in challenging circumstances, our Priority Services Register may be able to help you. They can provide your bill in Braille or assist you with meter reads.

British Gas Energy Trust

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills the British Gas Energy Trust provides millions of people with advice and support.

Apply for a grant

Having difficulties and need more help?

If you’re struggling to stay on supply or are restricting your energy use because you’re worried about how to pay for it, get in touch to discuss how we can help.

Pay As You Go enquiries
Emergency

You have no power and need help urgently?

Sometimes something breaks, gets lost or you can't physically top up. Let us know and we can see if we can help.

Emergency support

Need to speak to us?

Call us on 0800 294 8604
We're available Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm

Direct Debit

Direct Debit

Using less energy at home will lower bills

Your bills are calculated based on the energy you use at home. So reducing the energy you use at home will help reduce your bills.

Energy saving tips

Why has my Direct Debit amount changed?

If you pay by fixed Direct Debit you’ll typically pay more than you’re using in the summer months and less then you’re using in the winter. We review your payments to keep you on track and notify you of any changes on your statements at least 14 days before the next payment is taken.

Changes to Direct Debit

A smart meter helps you keep control of your energy use

A smart meter can help you track how much gas and electricity you're using throughout the day and help you see where you could save energy.

Book a smart meter install

British Gas Energy Trust

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills the British Gas Energy Trust provides millions of people with advice and support.

Apply for a grant

What happens if I don't pay?

We want to do everything we can to help you pay. But if there’s an outstanding balance on your account and we can’t get hold of you, we may have to take extra steps.

Learn more

Need to speak to us?

Call us on 0800 072 8625
We're available Mon - Fri: 8am to 6pm
& Sat: 9am - 2pm.

We can give you extra help managing your account

Are you on our Priority Services Register?

If you are living with certain health difficulties or a disability, have young children under 6, or find yourself living in challenging circumstances, our Priority Services Register may be able to help you.

View the services we offer

Are you getting all the benefits you're entitled to?

The Government have a range of benefits to help customers manage their household bills. We want to make sure you are getting all the financial support available. Use this tool to check.

Benefits checker

Fuel direct scheme

If you’re on certain benefits, you may be able pay directly from your benefit payments instead. This arrangement is called Fuel Direct.

Learn more

National charities offering money advice and support.

British Gas Energy Trust

If you are struggling with repaying an energy debt, you may be entitled to a one off grant to help manage it.

Find out if you qualify

Step Change

StepChange is a national debt charity offering free, expert debt advice online or over the phone to help people make sense of their finances and take back control.

StepChange debt charity

Turn2Us

Turn2us is a national charity that can help people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.

Visit Turn2US

Energy Saving Trust

Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation working to address the climate emergency. They provide advice to make your home more energy efficient, reduce your carbon emissions and lower your energy bills.

Energy saving advice

Help for Households

The Government continues to cost of living the households facing financial difficulty.

Cost of living payments

Get free, confidential money and energy advice at the Post Office

We’re back working with the Post Office and trained advisors from British Gas Energy Trust funded organisations to offer in-person support locally.

Learn more about our Post Office pop-up energy advisory service

More advice & support

Money Advice Service (or call 0800 138 7777)

National Debtline (or call 0808 808 4000)

Citizens Advice (or call 0808 223 1133)

StepChange Debt Charity (or call 0800 138 1111)