If you are worried about paying your heating bills or need some advice on how to save energy then the Home Heat Helpline is here to lend a hand.

The Home Heat Helpline is a free not for profit phone line set up to help energy customers who are struggling to pay their fuel bill and keep warm. It was launched by the Energy Retail Association in October 2005 and has become a cornerstone service for low-income households in urgent need of heating help and advice.

Calls to the Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99 are free. They are answered by expert advisors at a call centre in Glasgow who are trained to give quick, clear information on the grants, benefits and payment schemes that you may be entitled to as well as basic steps that can be taken to save money on heating bills by making your home more energy efficient. After asking you a few questions, the advisor will aim to put your call straight through to the specialist team at your energy supplier, or another advice or grnat giving agency. They work alongside dozens of welfare organisations as well as six major energy suppliers and thus know what services and options there are for people who need help - from grants for free home insulation and winter rebates to flexible payment plans and benefit entitlement checks.

The following services are available from every energy supplier:

• The Priority Service Register - a specialist servicce for elderly or disabled people and those living with long term helath conditions that includes bills in east to read larbger text or braille, as well as security passwords and a free annual gas safety check.
• Grants for free home insulation
• Reduced or 'social' tariffs

Some suppliers also have trust funds available to pay off fuel debt and to support local community projects.

The disconnection safety net is also in place to make sure that no vulnerable customer is knowingly cut off, even if they are unable to pay their bill. Depending on your needs, you will either be helped didrectly or put straight through to the right person at your energy provider.

Not every caller contacts the Home Heat Helpline for themselves. Many are phoning on behalf of friends, relatives and neighbours.

It makes sense to find out what you are entitled to. The Home Heat Helpline is there to help, so make that call -

0800 33 66 99