Register for a priority list after a bereavement
If you're bereaved, you can sign up to a priority service list, which will mean your provider can offer extra support to help you stay safe and warm.
What is the Priority Services Register?
Why join the Priority Services Register?
Communicating with your supplier
Letters, phone calls and other messages from your energy provider could be important for you to keep your supply working or to save money.
We know that if the person who has died managed energy and water bills this can be particularly difficult. We have information on informing utility companies and similar organisations on our Who to inform when someone dies page.
Many people who are grieving can join the Priority Services Register (PSR). This means that energy companies will put extra support in place for you.
24-hour contact number - You can get information to help you contact your providers quickly if you have a problem with your supply that could affect your health.
Letters in accessible formats - They can also offer letters in large print, textphone, audio or a different language.
Passwords - You can set up a password, so that you can always be sure you're talking to someone from the energy provider.
Nominated contact - Tell the energy provider to contact someone else to deal with anything to do with energy or water supply, such as a friend, family member, carer or anyone you trust.
Advance notice of supply interruptions
If you are on a priority list, such as the Priority Services Register (PSR), energy providers will also put support in place to help you through periods when your supply is turned off.
Planning for outages - Sometimes energy suppliers have to cut off supplies for a short time to carry out repairs. If you're on a priority list, they'll let you know before they do this so you can plan ahead.
Emergency power and appliances - If you use medical equipment/aids which use electricity or water, you may be able to get portable generators, alternative heating and cooking appliances or bottled water when your supply is off.
How do I sign up for a priority list?
To make sure you are on your energy provider’s priority list, you need to contact them directly. Each provider has a different form, so the first step is making sure you know who your provider is. This is not the same as the company you pay your bills to.
England, Scotland and Wales
If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, you can find out who your provider is on the Priority Services Register website. Enter your postcode and you’ll be redirected to the right page to send them your application.
Northern Ireland
The Priority Services Register doesn’t work in the same way in Northern Ireland, but there are some alternatives.
- For electricity you can join the Medical Customer Care Register.
- For water, you can join the Customer Care Register offered by NI Water.
- For gas, it is likely you can join SSE’s Energy Care Scheme or the Firmus Care Scheme, depending on who your provider is.
Help joining the Priority Services Register
This process can feel complicated if you are not used to doing things online. You may want to find an adviser to help you through it. See Useful contacts for organisations that offer this kind of support.
If you use oil heating
For people who use oil for their heating, there is the Cold Weather Priority Scheme. Not all oil providers are part of this scheme. You, or someone in your home, must be 75 or older to be part of it. Speak to your oil provider to see if you can be added to their priority list.
More information and advice
