£250 off your fuel bills if you receive disability benefits

anguk

There's details about Scottish Power's Carefree Plus scheme here:
http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/Home_Energy/Product_Information/CareFree_Plus/

purplecatlover

thor wrote: »

My dad is over 70 and getting attendance allowance. He is currently with eon/powergen for gas and I see that they have a staywarm tariff for the elderly but cannot see any sign of how it's tariff compares with their others. If it is cheaper than the standard one my dad is on I will try and get eon to switch him to the lower tariff. Unfortunately I can't find their tariff price list.
Any help?

i am with eon, and i rang them to ask about any tarriffs, they are bringing one in but as i am on a fixed rate for now they confirmed it is cheaper for me to stay on that. they did add me t their priority register and stuff, and they did say that they would notify me if i would be better off on a different tarriff.....i odubt that though, but looking online it does seem they were being truthful about my current tarriff being better than any others they offer. their social tarrif is limited ot the elderly but they are bringing it on for people claiming disability benefits apparently.

jumblejack

bluedog wrote: »

OMG ... how did you manage the free fridge?? I'm with Southern Electric and planning to ring them today to see if I qualify for any discounts ... I could do with a new freezer so did you get a choice of free product?

I did too around 7-8 years ago. I was with Littlewoods catalogue at the time and you were given a certain appliance for switching either fuel to SE but if you switched BOTH the appliance was a fridge freezer. You had to stay with them for a few years though by contract so I think you paid for the appliance anyhow!

nickyt

HI ,
I have just rang Southern Electric and they say that DLA and AA does not count it has to be a means tested benefit. But this might apply:

You may qualify for energyplus Care if you spend over 10% of your total household income on your energy bills. We will assess your eligibility using a simple questionnaire which we will complete either over the phone or in person. The key questionnaire categories are based on:
- Your home and how energy-efficient it is
- Your annual fuel costs
- Your total household income
- Other additional support needs

Hth someone

celticmoneysaver

I also got told that BG Essentials tariff had finished..I posted about it somewhere on main board..I think acouple of weeks ago..I had tried to get through unsuccessfully more than once before..but my voice doesn't work on those record your name systems..so i had waited for Option 4 direct to a 'person' possibly:rolleyes:

They informed me they had hit their quota of 500,000 ..which was news to me there was one..
As I rang in direct reply to there brochure they sent out for 30 July 2008
which i quote

"We are keen to help customers on lower incomes control their energy bills. in fact we're investing a significant amount to help these customers through differnt iniatives, including offering a lower tariff.
Our Essential Tariff offers our lowest standard prices and is available to customers receiving certain income related benefits. Our commitment to giving these customers lower prices means we've delayed their price change until April 2009"
To find out more about the essentials Tariff, or to apply, call 0800 072 7100 today.

No mention of a quota..which would have made me stick with calling until I got through..
maybe the ring 'today' was a hint:T
but maybe it isn't such a great deal folks if it is only our lowest standard prices..I would check your rates..which is a marathon now on the site..as you have to got hrough drop down links instead of print off PDF's

I thought it was interesting in that price rise in July even though click 5 didn't seem to go up in price my KWH's on 1st tariff seemed to go up from 100 to 125 units
ie i'm paying for 100 KW's extra per year at the higher rate.. nice little earner?
£30.89 or £32.44 at current rates

Can anyone tell me the date Click 5 went up as BG are still charging me for being on standard when I changed meter to E7 meter in July ..and I want to do my own calculations..I've sent my actual E7 readings through..spoke to someone after talking to Essentials line..yes all sorted line went dead but had been told wait until Tuesday at least..then had inaccurate online bill sent to me..:T

I would love to know what % of people in fuel poverty 500,000 is ?
Is it a significant amount?

celticmoneysaver

I've worked out my weekly electricity bill today on BGAS E7
Nightime 5.589 R1 30.894 R2 15.248 - if I can get that rate!
one bed with only one night storage heater on but had 2/3 on overlast cold snap 4/5 days ...so cost worked out on last 20 days
equates to £17.85 a week or 20% of my income and hasn't really got cold yet:rolleyes:

I think I will have to only have hot water alternate days to save some money

or do some of these:jbut body isn't htat sprightly

Nightfox_2

Just phoned B.G. who confirmed that I have been on said since March 2007.
Although essential tarriff closed on the 2nd October 2008 it will re-open in March 2009 a wee date for your diary.

*Sharon*_3

Thanks for this, we are on a pre-payment metre and I've just sent emails etc through to see if we are eligible for any discounts etc.

nanokitten

Sharon, ebico also have a cheap prepayment meter scheme (avaiable to all)which is subsidised by its direct debit customers.

Unity

anguk wrote: »

I've been on the BG Essential Tariff for about 8 months now and told my friend about it last week as her son has just been awarded DLA, she rang them and was told that they had filled their quota and she couldn't register. I don't understand why some people can sign up & some can't.

It certainly seems to be contributing towards a two tier system, more to the point would this be against the Disability Discrimination Act to allow some people to be treated more fairly than others?