The Priority Services Register: who can join, and how to sign up before winter

Most households never think about the Priority Services Register until they need it. It is a free list, kept by energy and water companies, of customers who may need extra help, particularly when the power, gas or water goes off. Joining usually takes a few minutes, and the details you need are already on your bills.

On 2 October 2026 the Cabinet Office said a national household campaign launching later this autumn will promote free actions such as joining the Priority Services Register (PSR), which it says helps vulnerable households to get help quicker during electricity, water or gas outages. Who can join has not changed.

What you can get

Ofgem, the energy regulator for Great Britain, lists the help available from energy companies, including:

• priority support in an emergency;
• advance notice of planned power cuts, wherever possible;
• a password scheme, so you can check that a caller or visitor is genuine;
• nominating someone you trust, such as a relative or carer, to receive bills and letters;
• bills and account information in large print or braille.

Water companies offer similar help. Ofwat says this can include more warning of planned supply interruptions, a doorstep password and accessible bills, and that your water company should tell you what to expect, such as whether it would deliver bottled water during a longer interruption.

Who can join

Ofgem says you can ask to join if you:

• have reached state pension age;
• are pregnant or have young children;
• struggle with speaking or reading English;
• live with a disability or long-term medical condition, including mental health conditions, conditions affecting your sight, hearing or sense of smell, or a condition that means you use medical equipment that needs a power supply.

It also covers short-term changes, such as recovering from an injury or a hospital stay, a bereavement, or losing your job.

Water companies’ lists are similar but slightly wider. Ofwat’s, for England and Wales, includes living with children aged five and under, and needing extra showering or bathing because of a health condition. Ofwat presents its list as examples, and Scottish Water says its list is not complete, so if you think you would benefit, ask.

Who to contact in England, Scotland and Wales

Ofgem explains that your energy supplier (the company you pay) and your network operator (the company that runs the wires and pipes to your home) both keep a register. Contact them online, in writing or by phone. The details should be on their website or your bills.

• Different suppliers for gas and electricity? Contact each one.
• Switched supplier? Ofgem says you will need to ask your new supplier to add you.
• Water is separate. Contact your water company too.

The network operators’ own site, thepsr.co.uk, has a postcode search to find your electricity and gas network. It says registering through your electricity network operator lets your details be shared with participating companies, including your supplier, gas network and water company. Because that depends on which companies take part, it is worth checking with each one that you are on its list. In Scotland, psrscotland.com links to Scottish Water’s register and the electricity network operators.

Northern Ireland works differently

Ofgem’s scheme covers Great Britain. In Northern Ireland, nidirect points to care registers run by NIE Networks and NI Water.

• NIE Networks’ Customer Care Register is for people who rely on electricity for healthcare needs, such as medical equipment at home. Registered customers’ calls are prioritised during a power cut, and NIE Networks says it contacts them at least three days before a planned interruption. Its paper form can also be used to join NI Water’s register.
• NI Water’s Customer Care Register offers a password scheme, a doorstep service, a carer contact service and accessible information. You can register online or by calling Waterline on 03457 440088.
• Electricity suppliers keep their own registers too. Power NI, for example, has a Customer Care Register, so ask your supplier what it offers.

Signing up someone else

You can often help an older parent or relative join. Scottish Water says you can register on behalf of someone you care for, Ofgem’s list includes nominating someone to receive bills, and NIE Networks lets you name a relative, neighbour or friend as an alternative contact. Do it together if you can, and with their agreement, as you will be sharing details about their health.

A five-minute job

1. Find a recent electricity bill, gas bill and water bill.
2. Note who supplies each one. In Great Britain, the postcode search on thepsr.co.uk finds your network operator.
3. Contact each company, or register through your network operator and check that the others have you.
4. Ask about a password for callers and visitors.
5. Tell them if your circumstances change, and join again whenever you switch supplier. Ofwat says your water company may also check your details every two years.

Being on the register does not keep the power on. If someone at home relies on medical equipment, NIE Networks’ advice applies anywhere: know how the equipment works, keep any battery backup charged, and make sure you have a phone that does not depend on mains electricity. Our power cut guide covers the basics to have ready, and our UK emergency kit checklist includes medication and accessibility needs.

Sources checked 5 October 2026: GOV.UK: Communities protected as government readies nation for winter weather (Cabinet Office, 2 October 2026); Ofgem: Join your supplier’s Priority Services Register; Ofwat: Priority Services; The PSR (energy network operators); The Priority Services Register in Scotland; Scottish Water: Priority Services Register; nidirect: Care registers; NIE Networks: Customer Care Register; NI Water: Customer care register; Power NI: Customer Care Register.