Page last updated on 17th August 2026
The Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free service available across Great Britain. The PSR provides extra support to eligible consumers in a range of situations, including when there's an interruption to your energy supply, like a power cut.
This guide explains the priority services register, who can sign up, the main priority services register benefits, and how psr registration works through your energy supplier or network operator.
This page is also available in an easy read format.
What does this page cover?
What is the Priority Services Register?
The Priority Services Register (PSR) helps eligible energy customers get extra support from their supplier or network operator, especially during emergencies, planned works or supply interruptions.
Who qualifies for priority services register support?
People who:
Have reached the state pension age
Have a disability or a long-term medical condition
Are recovering from an injury
Are deaf or have hearing loss
Are blind or partially sighted
Have a mental health condition
Are pregnant or have young children
Have extra communication needs (e.g. if English isn’t your first language)
Rely on medical equipment that needs a power supply
Do not have (or have a limited) sense of smell
Would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency
According to Ofgem, the Priority Services Register also accepts those who need support after a stay in hospital, or those who are grieving. For more information on eligibility, see the Priority Services Register website.
How does the Priority Services Register work?
The Priority Services Register is run separately by energy suppliers and network operators. This means you may need to register with more than one organisation. If you switch supplier, you will usually need to re-register. If you have different companies for your gas and electricity, you may also need to sign up with both.
If you have separate suppliers, you may need to join the priority register for gas and electric support with both companies to make sure your needs are recorded correctly.
Find out more below on how to sign up to the Priority Services Register.
What are the benefits of signing up to the PSR?
The main priority services register benefits are designed to make energy services safer, clearer and more accessible for people who need extra help.
Eligible energy customers who are signed up to the Priority Services Register might get access to the following benefits:
Notice of scheduled power cuts and engineering work.
Priority support in an emergency.
Priority support when calling your network operator.
An identification and password scheme, which could include arranging a password or agreed on picture cards if callers need to visit or contact you, to help you to feel confident they are genuine.
A nominee scheme, allowing you to nominate someone to receive communications and bills from your supplier (e.g. a family member, carer, or trusted friend).
Help with prepayment meter access.
Regular meter reading services.
Help with reconnecting your gas supply if you need it.
For additional support with managing your energy, the Priority Services Register can support requests for large format or braille bills.
These Priority Services Register benefits can be especially useful if you depend on medical equipment, have accessibility needs, or need communications in a different format.
For additional support with managing your energy, the Priority Services Register can support requests for large-format or braille bills.
You may need to register separately with each organisation involved in your energy supply. For more information, check out Citizen’s Advice’s Priority Services Register guide.
How can the Priority Services Register help during power cuts?
Your energy network can prioritise your reconnection to a power supply if there is a power cut in your area and you’re registered to the PSR. If you’re registered, you will also be able to contact the power networks for priority updates during a power cut.
If you're signed up to the PSR, you should receive advance notice of any planned interruptions to power supply. If there is an unplanned power cut, your home could be prioritised in the reconnection process.
How to sign up to the Priority Services Register?
Every energy company has their own Priority Services Register. For PSR registration, you can usually apply online, over the phone, or by asking your energy supplier directly. You may be asked about your communication, safety, medical or accessibility needs.
Alternatively, we have also put together a list of free and low-cost options to contact energy suppliers.
If your gas and electricity are supplied by different companies, you may need to contact both. Your supplier may also be able to share your details with your network operator, but it is worth checking whether you need to register separately.
How do I know if I'm already signed up to the PSR?
If you don’t know if you are already registered to the PSR, please contact your energy supplier(s), electricity network and gas network operator.
The best first step is to contact your energy supplier and ask them to confirm whether you are currently listed. Suppliers and network operators can hold PSR details separately, so it is also worth checking whether your registration has been shared with your electricity network operator and, where relevant, your gas network operator. Your supplier should contact you to confirm once you have been added to their PSR.
If you’re asking ‘am I on the priority services register?’, your supplier should be able to confirm your status and explain whether your details have also been shared with your local network operator.
Quick summary: Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register is a free support service for eligible energy customers in Great Britain.
It can help with:
Advance notice of planned power cuts
Priority support during emergencies
Accessible bills and communications
Password schemes for safer home visits
Nominee schemes for trusted contacts
Support with meter readings and prepayment meters
If you’re unsure who qualifies for priority services register support, contact your energy supplier and explain your circumstances.
What other support is available with energy management?
If you are an energy consumer with specific requirements and are interested in signing up to the PSR, you might also benefit from a smart meter.
A smart meter is installed at no extra cost to the consumer, and automatically sends your meter readings to your energy supplier. With a smart meter, you only pay for the energy you use (instead of estimated bills).
Consumers who are on a prepayment meter might also benefit from a smart meter installation. You can top up a smart meter operating in prepayment mode remotely from your mobile device—anytime, anywhere.
Smart meters come with an in-home display, which shows how much energy you’re using in near real-time. You can also use the in-home display to track your daily, weekly, and monthly expenditure, allowing for easier budgeting.
If you’re eligible for the Priority Services Register, you may be eligible to receive an accessible in-home display.
The accessible in-home display is being offered at no extra cost to selected customers, but they are not yet available with every supplier.
What features does an accessible in-home display have?
An accessible in-home display (AIHD) has all the features of a regular smart meter in-home display (IHD), with the addition of accessibility features which include:
Tactile buttons with feedback of button press
Text-to-speech function for screen navigation
Adjustable volume for the text-to-speech function
Coloured LEDs which indicate electricity usage
LED push button to replay speech
Large typeface
TFT screen with a high contrast colour scheme optimised for visual impairment and colour blindness
An accessible in-home display may be useful for customers registered on the Priority Services Register who have sight loss, accessibility needs or need extra help managing energy at home.
If you think that you need an accessible in-home display, please discuss it with your energy supplier.
FAQs
Who qualifies for the Priority Services Register?
You may qualify if you have communication, access, safety, health or temporary support needs, including disability, illness, pregnancy, young children, hearing loss, sight loss or reliance on medical equipment.
How do I know if I am on the Priority Services Register?
Contact your energy supplier, electricity network operator or gas network operator. They can confirm whether you are registered and what support is attached to your account.
Am I on the Priority Services Register automatically?
You should check directly with your supplier. Some customers may be identified through supplier conversations, but it is best to confirm your registration and update your support needs if anything changes.
What is the Priority Services Register PSR?
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free service that helps eligible energy customers access extra support from energy suppliers and network operators.
Want to find out more?
- Smart meters and an accessible in-home display. Learn more about smart meters and the benefits of an accessible in-home display
- How to access supplier and government help with energy bills. Learn about schemes and grants which might help you with your energy bills.
- How carers could prepare for higher energy bills. Some helpful tips for Carers to help improve the energy efficiency of your loved one's home.