The steps you can take now if you're worried about paying thousands for energy in the months ahead

With the cost of living still rising, and the price cap on energy bills set to soar once again later in the year, many people are worrying about how to make ends meet, with searches of the term “can’t pay my bills” up 2,400 per cent in the last seven days.

An anonymous campaign by Don’t Pay UK has been gaining momentum in recent weeks, with the scheme encouraging people to stop paying their energy bills this winter in an attempt to reduce the cost. However, consumers have been warned against taking part in this trend as it can have devastating consequences on your finances long-term, and see supplies cut off when they’re needed most.

The Manchester Evening News looked at steps customers can take to pay at least part of their bills, and how you can avoid having your energy supply shut off.

READ MORE: Work out how much more you could be paying for energy with this calculator

The first thing you need to do if you’re genuinely concerned about being able to pay your bill in full is to contact your supplier. Although it may sound counterintuitive, letting them know is a good starting point as there are different payment plans that can be discussed to ensure you pay at least part of what you owe, allowing your supply to remain intact. Some suppliers also have hardship funds or grants that can be given out to those in need, and the cash could be enough to cover your bill.

Your supplier has to help you come to a solution to pay your bills, and so should agree to putting you on a payment plan if you request it, or tell them that you’re unable to pay. The plan will look at what you owe, what you can afford to pay based on your income, outgoings, and any other debts, and how much energy you’re likely to use based on your past