Can I switch energy supplier if I am in debt? (UK, May 2026)

In most cases — yes. Energy debt under £500 per fuel can move with you to a new supplier via the Debt Assignment Protocol. Larger debts need a different approach: repayment plans, debt grants, and Ofgem's 2026 affordability protections.

  • How DAP works in 2026 (raised to £500 per fuel)
  • Your options if you owe more — Breathing Space, supplier trust funds, repayment plans
  • What protections you have if you're vulnerable
Check switching options Help with energy debt

General information, not regulated debt advice. For free help: StepChange, Citizens Advice, National Debtline (links below).

Fast answer (May 2026)

You can usually switch energy supplier in debt. The 2026 picture:

  • Debt ≤ £500 per fuel and on your bill ≤ 28 days: just switch normally, the debt stays with your old supplier and you pay it off there.
  • Debt ≤ £500 per fuel & > 28 days old: switch via the Debt Assignment Protocol (DAP) — the debt moves to your new supplier with the switch.
  • Debt > £500 per fuel: clear it down to the threshold first, or agree a repayment plan and apply through DAP-supporting suppliers that accept "evidence of plan".

Under Ofgem's 2026 Consumer Standards (in force from April 2026), every domestic supplier must offer affordable repayment plans based on your ability to pay and signpost to free debt advice before any recovery action.

The Debt Assignment Protocol in 2026

  1. Choose your new supplier and tariff, then start the application telling them you are in arrears.
  2. New supplier requests DAP from your current supplier. The current supplier has 5 working days to confirm the debt balance.
  3. If the debt is ≤ £500 per fuel and eligible, the new supplier accepts it and completes the switch.
  4. You agree a repayment plan with the new supplier — typically over 6–24 months depending on the balance.
  5. The whole process takes around 21 days end-to-end including the 14-day cooling-off period.

PPM (prepayment) accounts are also eligible for DAP at the £500 per fuel threshold.

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Owe more than £500 per fuel? Real help in 2026

Supplier trust funds & grants

British Gas Energy Trust (open to non-customers), EDF Energy Customer Support Fund, Scottish Power Hardship Fund, OVO Energy Fund, Octopus Assist Fund — grants of £250–£2,500 to clear or reduce energy debt.

Breathing Space scheme

Government scheme that pauses interest, fees and recovery action for 60 days while you get free regulated debt advice. Mental Health Breathing Space lasts for the duration of crisis care plus 30 days.

Affordable repayment plan

Under the 2026 Consumer Standards, suppliers must base plans on your ability to pay — they can no longer demand fixed minimums you cannot afford.

Warm Home Discount & Cold Weather Payments

Warm Home Discount (£150) eligibility was expanded in 2025 to ~3m households on means-tested benefits in qualifying high-cost homes. Apply via your supplier each autumn.

Vulnerable customer protections in 2026

  • Priority Services Register (PSR): free service for older, disabled, or chronically ill customers, those with young children, or anyone with a temporary vulnerability. Switching keeps PSR — your new supplier inherits it.
  • No forced disconnection in winter (1 October – 31 March) for households with children under 18, residents over 75, or anyone with long-term illness.
  • Forced PPM rules: only as last resort, banned outright for households with children under 14, anyone over 75, or in serious health vulnerability. Suppliers must offer Code of Practice protections.
  • Affordability assessments: every recovery plan must be based on a current ability-to-pay assessment, not a default minimum payment.

FAQs — switching with energy debt

If you switched via DAP, no — the debt moved with you. If you switched normally (debt < 28 days), yes, you still owe the old supplier and they will pursue it via their normal recovery process.
Switching itself doesn't. Existing defaults or court judgments remain visible to lenders for up to 6 years.
You can challenge it. The supplier must follow the Code of Practice and assess vulnerability. Independent assessors review high-risk cases. You can also escalate to the Energy Ombudsman after 8 weeks.
Yes, since the 2023 levelling and confirmed in 2025 by Ofgem. Some suppliers offer specific PPM fixes that go below cap.
A DWP scheme where energy debt and ongoing usage are paid direct from your benefits. Useful for households on Universal Credit or income-based benefits — apply via your work coach.
StepChange (stepchange.org, 0800 138 1111), National Debtline (nationaldebtline.org, 0808 808 4000), Citizens Advice. All free, confidential and regulated.

How we assess this

Last updated
May 2026

Reflects Ofgem's 2026 Consumer Standards (April 2026 in force) and DAP threshold update to £500 per fuel. Supplier trust fund eligibility verified May 2026.

Sources & help

Switch in debt — see your options

DAP lets debts up to £500 per fuel move with you. We'll show what's available.

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Updated on 25 May 2026