The short version
General information, not advice
- It's free, and joining doesn't change your price.
- You can join if you've reached State Pension age, are pregnant or have young children, have a disability or long-term condition, rely on powered medical equipment, struggle with written or spoken English, or are going through something like a bereavement or job loss.
- Tell your supplier and your network operator. If your gas and electricity come from different suppliers, tell each, and tell them again if you switch.
- In a power cut, call 105. It’s free in England, Scotland and Wales.
Services as listed by Ofgem; 105 by the Energy Networks Association.
Who it's for
The list is wider than most people assume. Ofgem includes anyone who has reached State Pension age, is pregnant or has young children, has a disability, a long-term medical condition or a mental health condition, has problems with sight, hearing or smell, relies on medical equipment that needs power, or struggles with speaking or reading English. It also covers short spells, such as recovering from an injury, a bereavement or losing a job. You don’t need to be all of these, and you don’t need to have been for long.
What you get
From your supplier: bills in large print or braille, help with meter readings, a password so you know a caller is genuine, the option to name someone who can deal with your account for you, and help moving a prepayment meter you can’t safely reach. From your network operator, which runs the wires and pipes in your area: warning of planned power cuts and priority help in an emergency. If you depend on powered medical equipment, tell both, and have a plan for a long cut, because being on the register means you’re prioritised, not that the power can’t go off.
How to join
Contact your supplier or your network operator by phone, online or by post, and tell them what help you need. If you have separate gas and electricity suppliers, tell each of them. Switching supplier means telling the new one, so do it as part of the switch. In a power cut, 105 puts you through to your network operator, wherever you live in England, Scotland or Wales.
Who to contact
| For | Contact |
|---|---|
| Joining the register, bills, meter readings | Your supplier. Phone numbers and PSR pages for every supplier are on Contact your energy supplier. |
| Warning of planned power cuts, help in an emergency | Your network operator. Find yours by postcode (Energy Networks Association). |
| A power cut now | 105 free, England, Scotland and Wales |
| You smell gas | 0800 111 999 National Gas Emergency Service, 24 hours |
| Your supplier won’t add you, or gets it wrong | Complain to the supplier first. After 8 weeks, or sooner if they send a deadlock letter, the Energy Ombudsman: 0330 440 1624. Free help: Citizens Advice 0808 223 1133 (England and Wales), Advice Direct Scotland 0808 196 8660. |
Sources, checked 26 September 2026: Ofgem: join your supplier’s Priority Services Register · 105: power cuts · Ofgem: complain about your energy supplier · National Gas: emergency contacts · ENA: find my network operator. Switch4Good Limited is a commercial business and not a charity. General information, not advice.
Common questions
Does it make my bills cheaper?
No. It changes the help you get, not the price.
Can I join for a short time?
Yes. Recovering from an operation, a new baby or a bereavement all count, and you can ask to come off again.
Who sees my details?
Your supplier shares them with your network operator so both can help you, and only for that. You can change or remove them at any time.
I use oxygen or dialysis at home. Will my power stay on?
Being on the register means you're prioritised in a power cut and told how long it's likely to last, but it can't stop the power going off. Ask your equipment provider about a back-up, and keep their number with 105.
Switching? Take the register with you
Compare energy through Switch4Good, then tell your new supplier you're on the register. The price is the same as going direct, and at least 50% of eligible commission goes to the cause you choose.