Pensioners can now pay more than a month

If they top up their credit before 1 October, they may be able to keep current prices into October and even November. This will not work for gas meters, smart electrical prepayment meters or E.On or Scottish Power. Suppliers can backdate these charges, so it is not a guarantee.

Households that receive the Winter Fuel Payment - which is worth 200-300 and is paid to nearly all homes with at least one person of pension age - will receive an extra 300 in November or December. It should cover nearly all pensioners in the UK.

All council tax bands in England, Scotland and Wales, or up to E if a householder has a disability, are eligible for a 150 energy rebate from their local council. You should have received the payment by the end of September, so check that you have received it. The Northern Ireland Assembly received an equivalent amount of money to administer locally.

If you can't afford your energy bills, contact your supplier. If you are in debt to your energy company, you might be able to get a grant to help pay it off. British Gas, Octopus and Scottish Power are among the firms that offer grants to their customers and Citizens Advice offers more guidance.

If you do get into debt, Citizens Advice warns that suppliers have the right to force you onto a prepayment meter, which is the more expensive way of paying. The charity predicts that almost half a million people could be in this position over the winter.