Your options to manage energy debt for your business if you can’t pay your bills
We understand that now is a challenging time for many businesses. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, the first thing you need to do is get in touch with us.
It's important that you let us know you're struggling as soon as you can. We'll work with you to try to understand your business and your individual situation. Then we'll try to agree a solution.
The best way to contact us for help with your energy bills is by calling 03457 25 25 26 and selecting option 2.
What can I do if I can’t afford my energy bills?
Set up a Direct Debit to pay your bill automatically, so you’ll never forget.
Depending on your payment terms, direct debit may be variable, which means each bill will be paid in full; or budget, where a set amount will be taken on your chosen regular date to spread the cost.
Paying by Direct Debit also gives you a discount on our standard unit rate, when you sign up to a fixed plan. This makes Direct Debit the cheapest way to pay for your energy from SSE Energy Solutions.
Charity or non-profit?
If you’re buying energy for a charity or not-for-profit organisation, check if you can apply for exemption from VAT and the Climate Change Levy on the Government’s VAT for charities webpage.
If this applies to your organisation, fill in a VAT declaration form and send it to us.
What happens if I don’t pay my energy bill?
Please talk to us if you need energy bill support – you can call 03457 25 25 26.
If you don’t let us know what’s happening, we may add a late payment fee to your bill.
Falling behind with payments can show up on credit checks and affect your credit rating. This may impact your ability to borrow in future.
If bills remain unpaid with no plan in place, this may proceed to debt collection action. It could even result in disconnection, which means your electricity or gas could be cut off. There would then be a cost to reconnect your supply.
We want to avoid the situation reaching that point, so let’s work together to find a solution.
Treating Customers Fairly
At SSE Energy Solutions, we’re committed to giving excellent service and treating customers fairly.
Find out more in our Treating Customers Fairly statement.
If I can’t pay my debts, what options do I have?
If you’re struggling, there are independent organisations who can help.
Advice for small business consumers, micro businesses, sole traders and self-employed people.
Breathing space
If you have serious personal debt, you can talk to an authorised debt adviser about breathing space from interest and debt collection. They'll notify suppliers like us on your behalf.
To find out more or arrange this, visit the Debt Respite Scheme (England and Wales).
There’s a different scheme in Scotland: a moratorium.