Energy bills: What do I do if I can't afford to pay?
Energy prices have soared, prompting government intervention, but many people are still worried about how to pay their bills.
main government support is a price guarantee that means a home using a typical amount of gas and electricity will pay an annual bill of £2,500.
Various support payments are also available. These will by scaled back for some in April, when the bill for typical usage will rise to £3,000.
re can be serious consequences for anyone not paying their bill, but experts say there are things you can do to help.
If you don't agree a payment plan with your supplier, they might try to force you to have a prepayment meter installed, or they may switch your existing smart meter to prepayment mode.
In very rare cases, if you haven't paid a bill after 28 days, you might be threatened with disconnection of your supply, but you'll normally be offered a meter.
Your supplier must give you a chance to clear your debt through a payment plan first.
If you've reached state pension age, your supplier can't disconnect you between 1 October and 31 March if you either live alone, or live only with other people who have reached state pension age, or are children under 18.
Your supplier could also pass your details to a debt collection agency - and you might be charged more to cover the cost of this - according to debt charity StepChange.
Many suppliers also charge extra fees for late payments, so this could be another additional cost.
Paying by direct debit is normally the cheapest way to pay for electricity and gas so, if you cancel your direct debit, your future bills are likely to be higher.
Finally, not paying bills could damage your credit rating and make it harder to borrow money in the future.
Check your direct debit
Your monthly payment is based on your estimated energy use for the year, and your supplier may be able to reduce your payments if its estimate is higher than the amount you are actually using, so take regular readings.
It is possible to challenge any increase in direct debits requested by your supplier, according to Peter Smith from the National Energy Action charity.
He suggests asking for a copy of your annual energy statement which shows your energy use from the previous year and estimated use for the coming year. 
If you think the direct debit is too high, you can ask for it to be lowered to an amount that better reflects your expected usage.
Worried about energy bills? The BBC's Colletta Smith tells you - in a minute - about four discounts and payments that could help
You can also request a flexible monthly direct debit where you pay for what you actually use each month. This is generally only available to those on smart meters or who provide regular monthly meter readings.
But remember that two-thirds of gas usage is during the winter months, and prices have risen sharply.
Pay what you can
If the direct debit is fair, but you will struggle to make the payments, Mr Smith recommends asking your supplier if you can work out an "able to pay plan" based on what you can afford. 
Sara Williams, who runs the Debt Camel blog, also suggests paying as much as you reasonably can each month, even if your supplier says your direct debit should be higher or your monthly bill is more. 
It means your arrears grow more slowly, so your supplier may be less worried about your debt. 
roach also shows that you are doing your best - all creditors want to tell who is genuinely in trouble and who could pay but choose not to, she says. 
You may also want to avoid switching to a smart meter, as your supplier can remotely change that to work as a prepayment meter without your agreement. 
Claim what you are entitled to
Charities urge everyone to check that you are claiming all the benefits you can.
re is a detailed guide on the independent MoneyHelper website, backed by government, and useful benefits calculators run by Policy in Practice and charities Entitledto and Turn2us.
Ms Williams says anyone struggling should to try to get their name added to the Priority Services Register (PSR). This is a list of households which may need additional help in an emergency. 
Ofgem has a list of eligible people, which includes pensioners, those with young children, being disabled and having a mental health condition. 
re are two registers, but your energy supplier can get your name added to the network operator register if necessary.
Being on the PSR doesn't directly affect your energy arrears. But it does show that you are vulnerable, which your supplier should consider if, for instance, they are considering switching you to a prepayment meter. 
It may also help if there are power cuts, as you may get extra help. 
Check you're getting the extra government help
government has also announced a range of support to help people with energy bills, including a £400 grant for all UK households, paid in instalments from October 2022 to March 2023.
Households in Northern Ireland will receive a single payment of £600 starting in January, which is higher because a large proportion of homes use heating oil.
Adjust your boiler
Many people have a combi boiler at home. You have one if there is no hot water cylinder and there is a (usually white) plastic pipe under the boiler.
Jo Alsop, from The Heating Hub, suggests people turn down the boiler's heating flow temperature. 
On the front - sometimes behind a flap - there will be a dial or set of buttons with a little radiator icon. Turn the dial to the number three or the 12 o'clock position. If there is a digital display, turn the dial or press the button until it shows 60C. 
You may also want to turn off the hot water pre-heat. 
Many Worcester, Ideal and Vaillant boilers come on every few hours (night and day) to keep some water in the boiler warm and reduce the time it takes for hot water to reach the taps. 
Most homes do not need the feature and turning it off saves money. 
If you're on a prepayment meter and you can't afford to top up, you can get temporary credit from your supplier, but you'll have to pay this back. 
You may also be able to repay your debt directly from your benefits through the government's Fuel Direct Scheme.
A number of suppliers and charities offer grants and schemes to help pay off energy debts. 
How have you been affected by rising energy prices? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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