Vulnerable people in emergencies

Some people may need extra support if their energy, water, or gas supply is disrupted. The Priority Services Register is a free service that lets utility companies know if you need additional help during an emergency.

Being on the register means your energy, gas, or water supplier can take your needs into account if there is an outage. You may be eligible if you:

  • use medical equipment that relies on electricity or water
  • live with children under five
  • are over 60 years old
  • have a disability

How to register

  • You can register through your utility companies (electricity, water, or gas)
  • Visit the Citizens Advice website for information on how to get extra support from your supplier
  • You can also find full details on the Priority Services Register website
  • If you prefer, contact your suppliers directly using the number on your bill

Support if you are homeless or at risk

If your home is affected by an emergency or you are worried about losing your accommodation, you can find advice and support on our homelessness pages. This includes help if you are sleeping rough, at risk of homelessness, or need emergency housing.

Stay prepared and informed

See how you can build personal resilience before an emergency, including creating a grab bag and knowing who to contact, on our preparing yourself and others for an emergency page.

Remember, if you need urgent support, help is always available. Call 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-urgent situations.

For trusted updates and local information during an emergency, visit our staying informed in an emergency page.

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