Fuel Poverty and the Impact on Mental Health
When we talk about fuel poverty, it’s easy to focus on the numbers. Rising energy bills. The latest price cap. Household budgets.
But behind every statistic is a real person worrying about whether they’ll be able to heat their home, keep up with their bills, or make it to the end of the month.
Fuel poverty is becoming an increasingly urgent issue. It describes households that spend more than one-third of their income on fuel to be able to heat their homes to a safe and comfortable level. As of April 2025, the National Energy Action (NEA) estimates that around 6.1 million people across the UK are living in fuel poverty, with many more on the brink of falling into it.
The Connection Between Poverty and Mental Health
When money is tight, the weight of worrying about how to pay bills, keep your home warm, and provide for your family can feel overwhelming. As the Mental Health Foundation points out, there’s a clear connection between financial hardship and mental health struggles. People living in poverty are far more likely to experience anxiety and depression compared to those with more financial stability.
Fuel poverty isn’t just a winter problem either. It’s something many households worry about all year round. And with the energy price cap increasing by around £200 a year for a typical household from July 2026, it’s easy to see how concerns about paying for energy can contribute to poor mental health. The stress of rising costs, coupled with the fear of not being able to keep your home warm, can have a very real impact on your wellbeing.
Everyone experiences financial stress differently, but if you’re struggling with fuel poverty, you might recognise some of these feelings:
- Feeling anxious every time a bill arrives
- Losing sleep over money worries
- Feeling guilty about spending money on heating
- Avoiding inviting family or friends over because your home feels cold or damp
- Feeling isolated, embarrassed or overwhelmed
- Struggling to concentrate at work or enjoy everyday life
Many people tell themselves they’ll “just get through this month”, but when that month turns into six months or even a year, the emotional impact can become just as difficult as the financial one.
Over time, these worries can build up, affecting your confidence, your relationships and your overall wellbeing. What starts as concern over one energy bill can gradually become a constant source of stress. Many people find themselves putting off opening letters, avoiding phone calls or feeling unable to ask for help because everything feels too overwhelming. It can become a vicious cycle, where financial worries affect your mental health, and poor mental health makes dealing with those financial worries even harder.
The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to face it alone, and there is support available to help break that cycle.
Don’t Struggle! Reach Out for Support
If You Need Someone to Talk To
If you need to talk right now, there are many helplines staffed by trained people ready to listen. They won’t judge you, and could help you make sense of what you’re feeling.
Many listening services let you talk for as long as you need.
Charity MIND lists some options to try now
Free Home Energy Support
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the weight of rising bills or the pressure of living in fuel poverty, please know you’re not alone. There is support available.
The LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) is a FREE service designed to help those in need, offering practical advice and assistance to keep your home warm and your energy costs manageable. At Green Energy Switch, we’re proud to provide these visits in Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire, and Rutland.
During a free home visit, one of our friendly Home Energy Advisors can look at your energy bills, help you find ways to save money, check whether you’re on the best tariff and see if you’re eligible for grants or additional support. They can even install free energy-saving measures such as LED light bulbs and draught-proofing while they’re there.
Our advisors can also help you register for your supplier’s Priority Services Register. PSR is a free UK-wide service that provides extra support to vulnerable households during interruptions to electricity, gas, or water supply. It allows suppliers to provide extra communication, access, or safety needs. It is designed for people who may be elderly, disabled, critically ill, or reliant on electricity for medical equipment.
Taking action to address fuel poverty not only helps to improve living conditions but can also have a positive effect on mental health and overall well-being. You don’t have to face this challenge alone, please reach out for help.
Energy Grants and Support Available Near You
We’ve brought together grants, discounts and local support schemes all in one place.
Simple Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bills and Save Money
Small changes around the home really can make a difference.
We’re Always Happy to Chat
If you’re struggling to cope or worried about your energy bills, please don’t suffer in silence. Whether it’s giving our friendly team a call or sending us an email, we’re always happy to have a chat. Even if you aren’t eligible for LEAP, we’ll do our best to point you towards other organisations and support that may be able to help.
ABOUT US
Green Energy Switch (GES) delivers a broad range of energy services across the UK; specialising in working with social landlords and local authorities. Established in 2006, GES is a subsidiary of environmental charity PECT. We gift-aid any profits to PECT to help fund their vital work. In doing so, we are the lead sponsor of their Forest project. So far over 131,000 trees have been planted, equating to a remarkable reduction of over 1,300 tonnes of carbon emission.
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