What happens when you can't pay your energy bill?

pinkpig08 · 18 March 2009 at 1:40PM

I have my gas and electric accounts on my online banking. I can make a payment whenever I want, which I find easier as the money doesn't come out on a set date.

Phone the company and be honest. I think that as long as you can pay it by the time the next bill's due they're ok about it.

essexlass · 20 March 2009 at 4:34PM

I have a bill for £250 with npower, I have been paying off £50 a month, they have now sent me a letter threatening to cut off my supply on or after 24th March. I have 3 kids and am on benefits so I rang to explain I can't afford to pay that amount of money. They said the lowest amount they could take was a direct debit each month of £140! Don't know what to do as I can't be without no gas and electricity.

boredofbeingathome · 20 March 2009 at 4:46PM

Were you given a winter fuel allowance?
Could you ask for an emergency loan?

I am sure that if children are a certain age they are not allowed to cut you off, but they could have changed that.

boredofbeingathome · 20 March 2009 at 4:50PM

some of the help which may be available to you.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018661

Found this as well.
http://www.utilitycharges.co.uk/f-you-cannot-pay-utilities.html

Might give you a few options, but act quckly.

Pssst · 20 March 2009 at 5:04PM

For anyone who has a huge bill and cant pay it,you must contact your supplier asap to speak to them.

Dont worry.

They will not come round next week,boot your door off and cut you off whilst you are out at work.

That only happens to those who ignore the situation for months and month and months and months and months.

Options?

Have a prepayment meter fitted and have the debt transferred to it with an agreed weekly payback.

I must say to everyone,,dont get involved in monthly DD schemes. They work for some but for many,they find that they get landed with a huge catch up bill some time in the future.

Save the money yourself. Read your own meters to estimate useage.

SolicitorMidlands · 20 March 2009 at 9:23PM

When I was a student I fell behind and had a metre fitted and it was the best thing I ever did. I wanted one in our new house - I just found it so much better and I think it worked out cheaper.

RAS · 20 March 2009 at 9:27PM

Unfortunately it is now massively more expensive - to the extent that there have been a number of government and official moanings about the fact that people who are poor get meters fitted and pay about 18% more per unit for their fuel as a result

jenjade · 20 March 2009 at 9:32PM

i would phone them and explain with people losing jobs etc i am sure they will be understanding and you can make some arrangements with them

SolicitorMidlands · 20 March 2009 at 9:33PM

That is disgusting - people on a metre should e SAVING money. It was about 7 years ago I had one. I'm glad now I don't have one. Thanks RAS!

SolicitorMidlands · 20 March 2009 at 9:36PM

We had an energy bill of 600 pounds a few months back because our last bill had been estimated. My partner rang up and queried the bill. The lady at N Power didn't seem to think that was a big bill. My boyfriend asked her how much she was earning as she must be earning a fortune if she didn't think that was a big bill!