Energy Advice
How our energy advisers can help you
If you, or someone you live with has cancer you might find your energy bills increase. This could be because you are feeling colder and needing the heating on more, or because you're spending more time at home.
"I can’t praise Macmillan enough for what they’ve done for me. I really would urge anyone in a similar boat to me who is worried about money to get in touch with them." Julian
If you have difficulty paying your energy bills, whether they are gas, electricity or water bills, the Macmillan Energy Advice Team are here to support you. We can:
- help you get access to schemes that help with energy bills for cancer patients
- tell you which charity grants are available and how to apply
- advise you on boiler schemes
- help with managing debts on your bills
- help you deal with utility companies.
How to contact the Energy Advice team
Most people call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00 as it can be easier to discuss practical support in real time with an energy adviser. When you call you will hear a set of options to direct you to the right service. The Energy Advice team are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
You can also chat to us online. When chat is open you will see a 'Chat to us' icon at the bottom right of your screen. Click this to start the service. You will be asked a few questions to direct you to the best service to support you.
Before you speak to our Energy Advice team, our Welfare Rights team will speak with you first to run a quick benefits check with you. They will help you increase your income if possible.
If you prefer to email us with questions, please complete our online form. All emails are answered during opening hours and we will reply within 2 working days.
Language interpreters and options if you are Deaf or hard of hearing
We have interpreters available on our support line if you would like to speak to someone in a different language. Please state the language you need (in English) when you phone.
If you are Deaf or hard of hearing you can chat online, or visit the Macmillan Support Line page for details about using text relay or arranging a British Sign Language interpreter.
Tips to prepare
We understand that there is a lot to take in. Our team will send you a summary of the call by email or post along with any relevant links and resources when needed.
More information to help you with managing bills
We have lots of information on our website about how to reduce the financial impact of cancer, including:
- managing energy and heating costs
- tips for saving energy at home
- help with bills and housing costs
- our online benefits calculator
- general information to help with the cost of living and cancer.
There is also our online community and our Ask the expert forum where people living with or affected by cancer can post questions for advisers.
Booklets and resources
Other ways our support line can help
We know that cancer can impact all aspects of our lives. Our support line is made up of specialist teams who can help you with:
- Emotional and practical support if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer. 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
- Clinical information from our nurses about things like diagnosis and treatments from our nurse specialists. 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
- Questions about money and cancer. Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
- Welfare rights advice, for information about benefits. Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, Saturday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm.
To contact any of our teams call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00, chat online, or email us and you will be given the options and opening times for each team.
About our information
This information has been produced by Macmillan's Digital Content Editor team and reviewed by Macmillan's Direct Services team.
Learn more about how we produce our cancer information.