We can all benefit from a bit of extra support at some stage in our lives. This could be due to age, ill health, disability, mental health problems, financial worries or language barriers.

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations from their energy or water company.

You’re eligible if you:

1. Have reached your State Pension age
2. Disabled or have a long-term condition
3. Are recovering from an injury
4. Have a hearing or sight condition
5. Having a mental health condition
6. Are pregnant or have small children under five
7. Are using medical equipment that requires a power source
8. Have poor or no sense of smell
9. Would struggle to answer the door or get help if needed
10. Have extra communication needs, such as if you do not speak or read English well

Note other vulnerabilities may also apply as you might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation is not listed. For example, if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital.

You do not need to show proof of your condition, age or situation.

• Being on the register gives you access to:
• information in an accessible format
• notice of planned power cuts or water supply issues
• identification schemes where company staff give you a password so you know it’s a genuine call
• nominee schemes where they send your bills to a family member or carer of your choice
• priority support in an emergency
• help with meter readings

If you have different companies for water, electricity and gas, you will need to sign up with each. If you have a carer, they can sign up for you. You can register for all or some of the services.

• The Priority Services Register (Ofgem)
• Video about Priority Services Register (YouTube)

If someone else manages the bills

You can still sign up to the Priority Services Register if your bills:

• are in someone else’s name
• are included in your rent, for example through a housing association

Energy companies

Each company has its own Priority Services Register. You can find their contact details on your bill and register by phone. You can register online if you are a customer of:

Boost

Ecotricity

EDF Energy

E.ON Next

Green Energy UK

Nabuh

Octopus (includes Bulb)

Ovo

Scottish Power

Shell Energy

Utilita

• If you have a different company for your gas and electricity, you need to contact both.
• If you switch, you will need to register for the PSR again with your new company.
• If you move house but stay with the same company, you’ll remain on the register.

Electricity network distributors

Electricity network distributors are responsible for getting electricity to homes and businesses where you live. Each distributor has its own register, so you need to contact them directly. You can do this online, by phone or email, depending on the distributor.

Electricity in the Northwest is supplied by Electricity North West - 0800 195 41 41

Use your postcode to find your electricity distributor (Energy Networks Association).

Gas network distributors

Gas network distributors are responsible for getting gas to homes and businesses where you live. Each distributor has its own register, so you need to contact them directly. You can do this online, by phone or email, depending on the distributor.

Gas in the Northwest is supplied by Caden - 0800 389 8000

For other areas check out who’s my energy supplier or network operator? (Energy Networks Association)

Water suppliers

Each supplier has its own register, so you need to contact them directly. You can do this online, by phone or email, depending on the supplier.

Water in the Northwest is supplied by United Utilities.

For other areas use your postcode to find your water supplier (Water UK).