In the winter months cold snaps can see temperatures drop below freezing in the UK, but a free support service called the Priority Services Register is providing help for people with diabetes and those in vulnerable situations.
The combination of cold weather and diabetes can be challenging for several reasons, including making it harder to draw blood from cold fingers for finger-prick tests.
It can be useful for people with diabetes to ask their energy supplier to be added to the Priority Services Register, which can offer several benefits.
What is the Priority Services Register?
If you live with diabetes, you are eligible to be added to the Priority Services Register.
This is a free support service that you can call 24 hours a day. It provides help to people in vulnerable situations if there’s a power cut or your gas or electricity supply is interrupted.
Both energy suppliers and network operators keep a Priority Services Register. And there are registers available in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The benefits of being added to the Register include:
- A priority phone number you can call 24/7.
- Text and voice alerts when there’s a major power cut in your area.
- Extra help if needed – like home visits, hot meals, advice, and keeping your loved ones informed.
- Weather warnings by text or voice message to help you get ready.
You will receive advance notice of any planned power cuts. This helps you prepare if you rely on electricity for medical needs, such as keeping insulin refrigerated, so you can make sure your medication stays safe.
How do I apply?
You can contact your energy supplier and ask to be added to their register. When a customer joins the Priority Services Register with their supplier their details will be passed to the Network Operator.
You can learn more about the registers where you live, and apply here:
- Priority Services Register - England
- Priority Services Register – London, East Anglia or South East England
- Priority Services Register - Scotland
- Priority Services Register - Wales
- (Customer) Care Register - Northern Ireland
Our partnerships
We have partnered with UK Power Networks to ensure that every person living with diabetes knows that they are eligible for the priority service register in the UK. Read more about our partnership.
What other help with home heating is available?
Ofgem, the energy regulator, has rules that mean suppliers must offer payment plans that households can afford. You can ask for ‘emergency credit’ if you use a prepayment meter and can’t top up.
If you are struggling to pay for energy or think you may get into difficulty, contact your energy supplier.
There is information from the government about how to get help with your energy bills.
If you need any help with any aspect of living with diabetes, or just want to chat, don't forget to call our helpline on 0345 123 2399. We're open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. If it's outside that time — or at any other time, get support from others on our online Forum.
