There’s a free scheme in the UK that can get you extra help in a power cut or water outage, and most people have never heard of it. It’s called the Priority Services Register (PSR), and far more households qualify than you might think.
The short version
- The PSR is free and run by energy suppliers, network operators and water companies.
- You can usually join if you’re of pension age, disabled, have a long-term health condition, have a young child, or rely on powered medical equipment.
- You get things like advance warning of planned cuts and extra support when things go wrong.
- Sign up with your energy supplier, your network operator and your water company.
What is the Priority Services Register?
It’s a list kept by your utility companies of customers who may need extra support. Being on it doesn’t stop a power cut or water outage happening, but it means the companies know about you and can prioritise help.
There isn’t one single register. Your energy supplier, your electricity network operator and your water company each keep their own, although energy suppliers and network operators often share details so you only need to sign up once for electricity.
Who can join?
Each company sets its own exact criteria, but you can usually join if you or someone in your home:
- is of state pension age
- is disabled, or has a long-term medical condition
- is recovering from an injury or a stay in hospital
- has a sight or hearing condition, or a reduced sense of smell
- has a mental health condition
- is pregnant, or has young children
- relies on medical equipment that needs electricity, such as an oxygen concentrator, a stairlift or a home dialysis machine
- would find it hard to communicate in English, or to get help in an emergency
If your situation isn’t on the list, ask anyway. Many companies will add you if you need short-term help, for example after an operation.
What do you actually get?
Services vary between companies, but they can include:
- Advance warning of planned power cuts and water supply interruptions.
- Priority updates and support during an unplanned cut, which may include welfare checks.
- Bottled water deliveries if your water supply fails and you can’t get to a collection point.
- A password scheme, so you can check that anyone calling or knocking claiming to be from the company is genuine.
- Bills and letters in accessible formats, such as large print or braille.
- A nominee scheme, so letters or alerts can go to a relative or carer too.
How to sign up
It takes a few minutes and it’s free.
- Your energy supplier: search your supplier’s website for “Priority Services Register”, or call them.
- Your electricity network operator: call 105 or visit your network operator’s website. Your supplier may pass your details on, but it’s worth checking.
- Your water company: water companies run their own register, so sign up separately.
- Your phone and broadband provider: many also offer priority help, which matters more now that landlines are moving to digital. See why your landline may not work in a power cut.
A relative or carer can usually register on your behalf, with your permission.
Keep it up to date
If your circumstances change, such as a new baby, a new medical condition or a move, tell each company. It’s worth checking your details once a year.
Help an older relative or neighbour
The people who would benefit most from the PSR are often the least likely to have heard of it. If you have an older parent, relative or neighbour, ask whether they’re registered, and offer to help them sign up.
3 things to do this week
- Check whether anyone in your home qualifies.
- Sign up with your energy supplier and your water company.
- Ask an older relative or neighbour if they’re registered.
Read next: what actually happens in a UK power cut, and our 72-hour basics.