Social Tariff

mickey54

Hi

This is not a well known fact, not advertised a lot - but, most energy suppliers have a Social Tariff - allowing people who are on a low income to reduce their tariff. If you are on Housing Benefit/ Council Tax Benefit, Income Support or Income based Job Seekers and are either a pensionor or disabled - you can have this. Even if you have WTC?CTC and your income is less that £15,500 p/a. Call your supplier to check if you are eligable.

British Gas certainly do it - and you can save up to 20% on your bills. This also works if you have a pre-payment meter. ( Any debt you have would still be charged at the same rate)

tghe-retford

mickey54 wrote: »

...Even if you have WTC?CTC and your income is less that £15,500 p/a. Call your supplier to check if you are eligable...

What if you are on a low wage (minimum wage) and you are not entitled to working tax credit (ie. being under 25)?

mickey54

think it depends on income . . .have you checked - you may be entitled to housing benefit - therefore allowing you access to cheaper rates...

tghe-retford

mickey54 wrote: »

think it depends on income . . .have you checked - you may be entitled to housing benefit - therefore allowing you access to cheaper rates...

I've checked - not entitled to anything other than the 25% single occupancy discount. It's a problem that I know will affect other people I know, because they are in the same boat and won't be able to go on these social tariffs. I have advised others to consider EBIco, but even the latest increase will push me alongside others into fuel poverty.

lynnybinny

Martin included a bit about Socail tariffs in one of his newsletters and in particluar it lead me to discover the British Gas Essentials Tariff for people on low income. I have been a lone-parent on low income for 11 years (I work part-time but do get help with Housing Benefit & WFTC & CTC). British Gas it seems have been able to offer this lower tariff for quite some time, but I'm having trouble finding out exactly how long I could have been benefiting from it.

2 weeks ago after reading Martin's newsletter, I rang British Gas and got switched over to the Essentials tariff just like that! It was so easy. Then I began thinking why on earth had they not told me this before? I have always struggled to pay my utilities and have had lengthy discussions with them about being on low income and still they did not offer any help.

I have now written a lengthy complaint and am ready to do battle with British Gas over it all. It's been 2 weeks already and still no reply from them yet. I will post an update if and when I get a reply!

My 2nd point was to also let people on low income about my success story. I accidentally found out about Energy Grants whilst surfing the net. I didn't know they existed, again due to utility companies not telling people! I applied for a grant from EDF Energy Trust, which I completed online. They wrote to me asking for evidence of my income and 6 weeks later I got £452 grant paid directly to my EDF electricty account which cleared all my arrears!

There are lots of grants out there, I am sure Martin has info on them in his website somewhere. I have managed to get one, so can you! And make sure you get yourself on those lower tariffs too! I've also done that successfully! I will be paying half the amount each month on my electricity and gas. Good luck and remember it may take some effort but it's worth it!

brysiewysie

I'd posted all the info I could currently find on this thread;

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1168303&highlight=social+tariffs

BexTech

The only problem with the social tariffs is there are cheaper tariffs out there, so you aren't really better off.

john-blackford

mickey54 wrote: »

Hi

This is not a well known fact, not advertised a lot - but, most energy suppliers have a Social Tariff - allowing people who are on a low income to reduce their tariff. If you are on Housing Benefit/ Council Tax Benefit, Income Support or Income based Job Seekers and are either a pensionor or disabled - you can have this. Even if you have WTC?CTC and your income is less that £15,500 p/a. Call your supplier to check if you are eligable.

British Gas certainly do it - and you can save up to 20% on your bills. This also works if you have a pre-payment meter. ( Any debt you have would still be charged at the same rate)

Eon do one through help the aged i was told by one of the British Gas reps who knock your door that HELP THE AGED was the cheepest social tarrif this was 2 years ago but my not be now. By the way you do not have to be old i was 42 when i took it out

john-blackford

Water companies will also do something simalar they will cap ypur bill at £300 pa if you are a low wage or disabled and use excessive amounts of water

savemoney

I believe you have to have a known medical condition that makes you use more water and or a family of 5 or more at least my water company, Yorkshire Water do

john-blackford wrote: »

Water companies will also do something simalar they will cap ypur bill at £300 pa if you are a low wage or disabled and use excessive amounts of water

christabell

Once again:

Home heat helpline will give you information. Phone 0800 33 66 99. www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

www.energylinxco.uk and www.energychoices.co uk also have the social tariff built into their calculations.....

Phone/ or check websites.