Money advice tips for families

How Children First's Financial Wellbeing team can help you with your energy costs

Dealing with money worries is really hard. Children First’s Financial Wellbeing team understand that finding your way through all the different benefits you may be entitled to can feel overwhelming.
You can get help from us: 
  • To deal with your energy debts by putting manageable repayments plans in place.
  • To speak to suppliers on your behalf.
  • To find out about and apply to grants and hardship funds for families affected by the cost-of-living crisis, which may be available from your energy company.
  • To access fuel top up vouchers.
  • To get support from Home Energy Scotland, who can offer energy saving efficiency advice. 
“I am very grateful for this help with the fuel vouchers to help with my gas and electricity as since the prices have gone up it has been crazy to keep up with it and the cost of living. The vouchers makes it little easier with shopping and other stuff needed.”

Help with the rising costs in gas and electricity

With the worrying rise in costs with gas and electricity as we move into winter, it’s not a surprise that families are really concerned about covering these costs.  

If you’re in debt to your energy company, you need to deal with this first to make sure you aren’t disconnected.

Your family may be entitled to additional support to manage energy costs, including...

You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. You need to apply directly to your supplier for further eligibility requirements see: Warm Home Discount Scheme: If you're on a low income in Scotland - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You may be eligible to get help with energy-savings improvements to your home if you get certain benefits or live in social housing, see link for further details: Help from your energy supplier: the Energy Company Obligation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Winter Heating Payment helps people on low-income benefits who might have extra heating needs. It's automatically paid once a year. The payment for winter 2023 to 2024 is £55.05: Winter Heating Payment - mygov.scot

This is available for families on means tested benefits. To see if you are eligible visit: Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you were born before 25 September 1957 you could get between £250 and £600 to help pay your heating bills see link for further information: Winter Fuel Payment: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Payment to help disabled children and young people and their families with heating costs over winter:  Child Winter Heating Payment - mygov.scot

Energy saving tips for families

Our Financial Wellbeing Team have shared some useful energy saving tips that could lower bills and encourage children to think about energy use too.  

  • Encourage the whole family to turn the lights off when they are not needed. For example, open the curtains and if there’s enough natural light in a room or when leaving a room. This can save around £25 a year on your annual energy bills.

  • Kettles are one of the most overused appliances in any household and most of us fill the kettle to the top. Only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need and use it once it has boiled.  

  • When it comes to children, we know it can feel like there’s endless washing to do. Why not switch to a 30-degree cycle instead of a higher temperature? And if you can avoid using a tumble dryer you could save around £34 a year from your energy bill by doing so.

  • As many of us are hybrid working, it’s important to switch off your laptop via the start menu at the end of each day and switch off all monitors via the mains plug. You could even think about investing in a smart plug so you can turn all your appliances off standby in one go. 

  • Another commonly used appliance is a dishwasher. It’s best to wait for a full dishwasher before running a cycle and try washing at the lowest recommended temperature.  

  • Families could save around £100 a year with each degree the thermostat is reduced. Set your room thermostats to an ambient temperature (we suggest between 20 and 24 degrees). Consider if air cooling/heating is needed before adjusting the thermostats or switching any additional units on.  

  • Why not swap the little one’s bath for a shower? Swapping just one bath a week with a four-minute shower could save around £20 a year on your energy bills.  

  • When it comes to cooking for the family, try using the right-sized hob and cook with the saucepan lids on. 

  • Did you know that 900 million tonnes of food are thrown away each year and some 60% of that waste is in the home? It’s important to check that your fridge is set to the correct temperature – between 3 and 5 degrees. This will make your food last longer and reduce waste.   

  • Defrost your freezer at least once a year or more frequently if prone to ice build up to allow it to function as efficiently as possible.  

Contact Us

Contact Children First support line for money and financial wellbeing information.

Call 08000 28 22 33 for free Mon-Fri, 9am to 9pm. Sat-Sun, 9am to noon