Households that could struggle during a power cut are being urged to check whether they can join the free Priority Services Register ahead of the next bout of severe weather. The appeal follows the UK Government's Be Ready initiative, launched last week, which encouraged the public to prepare for up to three days without essential services including electricity and water supplies.
Rising referrals to the register
Money Wellness, a free financial guidance service, reported that it made 38,326 referrals to the Priority Services Register over the past year, up from 32,845 the previous year. Advisers said they frequently meet people who would qualify for the scheme but are unaware it exists, including those with chronic health conditions, disabilities or medical devices that depend on mains power.
Joining the register costs nothing. Administered by energy companies and electricity network operators, it ensures vulnerable customers receive additional support when power cuts or other disruptions occur. Depending on individual circumstances, this may include advance notice of scheduled outages, priority communication during service interruptions and safeguards such as password verification to confirm genuine callers.
Who can join
A common misconception is that the register is only for elderly residents. However, eligibility extends to people with disabilities, chronic or severe illnesses, mental health difficulties, families with children under five, expectant mothers and anyone recovering after hospitalisation. Water companies also run their own priority registers, which can provide bottled water deliveries if a supply is interrupted, and customers can enquire about this separately with their water provider.
Thomas Gibbons, adviser at Money Wellness, said: "We're referring more people to the register than last year, and when people think about preparing for a storm, they usually think about torches, batteries and bottled water. But if you rely on electricity for medical equipment, or you'd struggle to manage without heating or lighting because of your health, a power cut can be far more than an inconvenience."
"Joining the Priority Services Register takes a few minutes, it's free, and it means your energy company knows you might need extra help. The best time to do it is now, before the weather turns, because once the power's gone off, it's too late."
How to register
To join, contact your energy provider through its website, app or customer helpline and request to be registered. The provider will pass on your information to your electricity network operator, and you can also contact the network operator directly. Let them know about any medical devices, health issues or other requirements so they understand the support you may need. Afterwards, contact your water provider to enquire about its own priority register.
Should you experience a power cut, dial 105 free of charge from any phone to reach your local electricity network operator. Registering will not prevent outages or speed up restoration, so Money Wellness advised keeping contingency arrangements in place, such as a torch, a fully charged power bank and any medication easily accessible.
