Stephen's story: finding help with energy debt when paying the bills felt impossible

Coventry, England

Stephen was referred to the Lightning Reach portal by CDER, he received:

• £350 energy bill credit from YES Energy Solutions, which was then matched by Octopus Energy to a total of £700.

• Expert energy advice from National Energy Foundation to lower his energy costs longer term.

  
  

"It’s a big weight lifted off my shoulders. Now I can focus on getting better, rather than worrying about the bills."

We recently spoke with Stephen, who had been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. Leaving work to focus on his treatment, keeping a warm home was vital for his recovery, especially as his illness increased his sensitivity to the cold.

Living alone in a large family home after his daughter moved out, Stephen found the property increasingly expensive to heat, and amid the cost of living crisis, Stephen faced rising household costs across the board. His finances were at breaking point. Already dealing with mounting council tax arrears and rising water bills, the vital cost of keeping his home warm for recovery pushed his energy debt with Octopus to nearly £1,000.

This financial burden caused Stephen immense stress and anxiety. It was an unwelcome distraction at a time when his health required his full attention. 

"I was drowning in debt. It’s not something you want hanging over your head when you’re going through therapy"

A secure route out of energy debt

Stephen’s turning point came from a text message from CDER Group regarding his council tax. Rather than just chasing payment, the message acted as a vital signpost, linking him directly to the Lightning Reach portal. He found the portal easy to use and felt safe entering his information, which helped him quickly find support suited to his situation.

Through the portal, Stephen successfully applied for a grant from YES Energy Solutions, receiving £350 towards his energy bill debt, Stephen had previously spoken to his supplier, Octopus Energy, who informed him of their "You Pay, We Pay" scheme. This meant that for every pound paid, they matched it.

By accessing this scheme, the £350 grant from YES Energy Solutions instantly cleared £700 worth of his debt.

Beyond the grant from YES Energy Solutions, he was able to access further help from the National Energy Foundation. This included expert advice on lowering his energy bills, alongside practical items such as window insulation and draught excluders to make his home more energy efficient.

“Entering my information was very secure. It was very easy to use and I had no qualms at all; it felt completely safe and sound.”

Clearing debt to focus on recovery

That initial proactive signpost from CDER Group connected Stephen to the support he needed to clear the vast majority of his arrears. In the space of a month, his energy debt dropped to "basically nothing."

This energy debt reset, combined with practical support on managing his heating, has given him a sustainable way to keep his home warm without the fear of falling back into energy debt. With the pressure removed, Stephen can stop worrying about "crisis after crisis" and dedicate his energy to what matters most: his treatment and recovery.

“To see the debt come down to basically nothing in the space of a month is just really great.”

Get help today

Could you or someone you know use a helping hand building up your financial resilience? Create your account today at www.lightningreach.org/application-portal to see what you're eligible for.