need advice re gas + ectricity bills

jimmy_mumu

i have recieved several warnings about unpaid bills from npower, i do owe the money but can't afford to pay them all at once. i'm on benefits and suffer from mental illness. my wife doesn't know how bad things are with the bills and i can't talk on the phone very well. we have 3 children ranging from 16 months to 15 years. i really don't know how to deal with this and have been burying my head in the sand but in my more normal moments i know this needs sorting. could anyone please advise as to what to do. thanks. jimmy

banger9365

first thing is to tell your wife this is important i think .second thing get you or your wife to ring then up because they have ways of helping eg token meters and buget cards

TAZ

this is really simple to sort, i know cos i did it this week, ring your local benefit offer and ask to speak to the direct payment department, tell them you have a big bill you are not able to pay and you want to arrange a direct payment with them. they may give you another number to ring, mine did, i rang that number told them the same and they took my account number for the bill and said leave it to us. they ring the utility company up and arrange an amount that will cover the amount you owe plus some to cover what you are using at the moment. i had a bill of over £400 and they want £15 per week of me but this means that it is paid before i even see the money and i don't have to worry about any bills. i do my electric this way and have done for a number of years even through i now do not owe them any arrears. my husband has mental health problems, so paying this way is a lot better.
i had the whole thing sorted over night, they even rang me back to confirm the amount was ok before they did it.

bank_of_slate

Hi Jimmy

I agree that you need to discuss this with your wife fully.
You need to agree a way forward together.
If you ever feel that you are being victimised due to your mental condition, please see the Disability Rights Commission website for further advice and support.
https://www.drc-gb.org
...Linda xx

mummytofour

You can have a pre-payment meter installed, the debt will come off the meter at a set amount we had a £150 bill and they took took £2 a week off our meter for 3 years.

I know that the meter is more expensive to run, BUT it is easier to budget and that way you wont be running up a huge bill again.

Rikki

I ended up with a lage Gas bill due to incorrect meter reading etc. I got them to issue me with a payment card and I pay £10 every two weeks at the post office. This is to clear the large debt and I pay the new bills in the normal way as I get them.

Ask them for a payment card and a payment plan. Its better if you approach them before things go too far.