Save 20% on gas or electricity with social tariff

ethika

Not just for disabled, but also for seniors, low paid and unemployed, social tariffs for gas and electricity can show large savings. Most suppliers have a 'social tariff', but information has to be requested as they are rarely advertized.

There are quaifying criteria - eg Southern Electric require customers to spend 10 per cent or more of their income on gas and/or electricity, they will then allow 20 per cent off the bills, this includes for customers paying by meter.

Only catch I can see is that it might sometimes be necessary to telephone to remind them you are on this tariff so that you get your discounts!!

andrewpeterson

Since there is tough competition in the utility market the energy supplier comes up with certain saving tariff but there is always some catch

stef240377

I joined this scheme around 7-8 months ago. I rang shortly after christmas asking why i had not received a refund of the 20% for my fuel consumption (am on pre-paid meters and was informed cheque sent in these circumstances)at the time was informed it was because it was only released every six months and my six month billing period was end of Jan 2009.

Firstly i dont receive bills or statements being pre-paid and secondly this period has now passed and nothing received. I dont want to seem as though i am harrounding them for the money but as many are aware given the recent cold spell it would be nice to know i have a little extra to put on the meters. Thirdly i have not had any meter readings during this period and had to supply them over the phone when i rang earlier in the year.

IS/HAS anyone else been in this situtation and how did you resolve it? If not what woud my best angle be to get a positive result from this?

Geoffo_M

andrewpeterson wrote: »

Since there is tough competition in the utility market the energy supplier comes up with certain saving tariff but there is always some catch

Ha ha - there is NO tough competition in the utility market. That is why we are having to wait so long for any price reductions. The Regulator should refer the energy companies to the competitions board.

tghe-retford

ethika wrote: »

Not just for disabled, but also for seniors, low paid and unemployed, social tariffs for gas and electricity can show large savings. Most suppliers have a 'social tariff', but information has to be requested as they are rarely advertized.

In terms of those who are in low paid jobs, and not just for social tariffs, you need to be eligible to claim tax credits in order to get anything. If, like me, you are childless, work and in one way or another, not eligible for tax credits, ie. part time worker, under 25 or earn above £11,500 you will not be eligible for any help.

I'm in that situation where I am now paying more than 10% for fuel bills but because I am ineligible to claim tax credit, there is nothing I or the Citizens Advice Bureau could do. Just something that people in my situation should be aware of.

welshlil

I have been on the energy care plus scheme for the past 2 months after qualifying. Or so I thought. My bill is due, so I rang to find out how much. swalec had forgotten to put the discount on my account. Spoke to a manager, and she explained that they had been over run with applications - scheme has only been running a few months, and they are inundated with requests each having to be vetted. Although my proof of income etc had been received, it was in the pile of "to do". Neither could it be backdated, to my original meter reading to them. I was not amused, but without hesitation she offered a £20-00 goodwill gesture, which by calculations is actually more than the 20% for the period since they received my readings. As I had rung 3-4 days after the cut off period for Jan she would be able to retrieve my paperwork and deal with it there and then. I also asked why this has not been advertised, it will be shortly.