Moratoriums on disconnections for all domestic electricity and gas customers for the coming winter have been announced by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities today.
The CRU said the moratorium for customers registered as being particularly vulnerable to winter disconnections will be in place to cover a six-month period from October 1 this year until March 31 next year.
It added that vulnerable customers registered as being "critically dependent" on electrically powered assistive devices can not be disconnected for reasons of non-payment at any time and this protection remains in place.
The moratorium for all domestic customers has been extended again this year from what is normally a three-week period over Christmas and will now be in place from December 1, 2023 until the end of January 2024.
These initiatives are in addition to the customer protections that were announced by the CRU in August for the winter months.
The protections include extended repayment periods, reduced debt burden on pay-as-you-go, better value on financial hardship meters and greater promotion of the vulnerable customer register.
The CRU said the customer protections are complemented by the supplier-led Energy Engage Code, which provides a further level of security for domestic electricity and gas customers.
This code encourages customers, who are having difficulty in paying a bill, to engage with their supplier regarding the management of debt.
Under the code, utility companies will not disconnect customers who engage with them and must provide every opportunity to avoid disconnection.
Karen Trant, the CRU's Director of Customer Policy & Protection, said that moratoria on disconnections are vital in providing support and peace of mind to customers during the winter months.
"In addition, the supplier-led Energy Engage Code provides further protection for customers who may have built up debt," Ms Trant said.
"It is important for customers who find themselves in this position to talk to their supplier at an early stage to find the best solution for them, as customers who engage with their supplier will not be disconnected," she added.
