ENDS 28 FEB. £30 rebate for British Gas customers on benefits.

Dalkirst

zzzLazyDaisy wrote:

Darren, this is because the rebate was spread over two winter bills. So if you had gas and electric, you'd get a total of £60 (Winter Bill of 2005 £20 gas, £10 electric, Winter Bill of 2006, the same) If you signed up in January you only qualify for the second half.

But do make sure that you are still on the books for a rebate, cos it has gone up to £90 total for next winter (I don't know the split between Gas and Electric, but I bet someone will)

Thanks i did ask when on the phone the other day if i needed to sign up for next winter but they said it will be done automatically

ms_kaz

I have been on the phone numerous times to british gas staff over this rebate and am still waiting, anyone else still waiting. i phoned on the 31 december 05 but have got no where yet

neenaw_4

does anyone know if you are able to sign up for this still for this winter?

jumbles_2

just called and registered, they say may be eligible, or may not only to first 100,000 customers ??????

welshcakes

Same here jumbles - the rep emphasised at the beginning of the phone call that British Gas are no longer guaranteeing that callers will receive any rebate. I gave our details and was told that I would receive a letter in a couple of months to let me know if it has been awarded!

So I'll probably be out sunbathing (2007 predictedto be hottest yet) by the time I hear. How on earth can it take a large corporation months to decided whether or not to award a one off rebate to a low income, vulnerable household ?

Ah well, I shall see it as a bonus if it happens. I just wish the phone calls were a free number given all the times I've spent money ringing to sort out their mess ups with my account.

Chrysalis

southern electric also offer 20% off with energy plus careplan and they read out the qualifying list of benefits, I have noted its unfair on incapacity benefit claimants especially as disability living allowance qualifies you, considering its possible to claim DLA whilst working full time I would have thought if that qualifies then IB should as well, but if you were to say get IB and housing benefit then the housing benefit will make you elegible.

Chrysalis

madcanadian wrote:

If you're on Incapacity Benefit then you must be getting the council tax benefit or the housing benefit, and you should be able to top up your incapacity benefit with the Income Support Benefit as I have done. This is only a couple of pounds per week but entitles you to free medication and other benefits.

As it says in the post you have to be receiving at least one of the following benefits to qualify.

hope this finds you well,

Madcanadian

For adults with no kids the IB levels are set above income support levels so this doesnt happen anymore, no topup but as you said I would expect most people claiming IB would get housing benefit as well, it is amazing IB doesnt qualify when things like WTC and DLA do which are potentially paid out to people with much higher incomes then IB.

welshcakes

Scottish Power Manweb - just in case anyone is with them, state they don't offer any winter rebate scheme.

PinballWitch

ms_kaz wrote:

I have been on the phone numerous times to british gas staff over this rebate and am still waiting,

I am still waiting for the promised £30 credit to my last bill of 2006 - and they've worked out the new direct debit amount (hiked up from £21 to £34) without taking it into account. I've phoned them to no avail and written to them on 5 Jan 07 but no reply after 3 weeks. I'm taking it to Energywatch, as British Gas are exploiting the most poor families in the country, who expected to have help as promised but are getting higher bills and no help! If I didn't make a payment to my account on time, they'd take action, but what action can the customer take if British Gas don't add payment to the account as promised? I only want them to do what they said they'd do!

helen240556

British Gas or Scottish Gas customers can apply for help with gas/electricity arrears, or for help with other household items and costs from the British Gas Energy Trust https://www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk or 01733 421021 - this is an independant charitable trust which has made over 5000 awards totalling over £2m so far.

There is also the EDF Energy Trust which works in the same way for customers of EDF Energy - https://www.edfenergytrust.org.uk - 01733 421021

The British Gas Energy Trust website (see above) also has a link on the home page to a booklet "Utility Trusts & Schemes" which gives info on help other water and energy companies provide.