help needed with Gas

shopaholic2

Hi, Well I am in tears after receieving my gas bill,its £745, which includes £500 from my last bill. M
The reason thats still outstanding is beacuse I applied to the british gas charitable trust for help paying it, but they turned me down.
My daughter has been diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis, but before she was diagnosed we had that very harsh winter, and she was and still is permanently cold.
Even now i have to have the heating on for her in a morning, and some evenings, and if she has a bad day or two and is off school then i have to keep her warm during the day too.
I joined the NACC, and they have a welfare fund, but they wont help with bills, so i just dont know what to do.
I cannot pay this bill, and i cannot afford monthly direct debit, as its bound to be about £200!!
Can anyone advise me on what to do? Who to talk to?
I emailed BG but they just said "sorry, but you gotta pay it".
I am also disabled, i am on high rate mobility and mid rate care DLA, and i find it hard to talk on the phone, thats why i emailed them.
Please, can anyone help me?????
xx

Magentasue

I think you should post this on the benefits board as they will be more knowledgeable about any little known benefits that may be available.

Meanwhile, you need to check your meters to make sure that the bill is accurate. You are right in thinking your DD will be increased a lot because as well as repaying what you owe, it'll be increased to cover your normal use this year. You need to find out how much they will want, and how far you can negotiate down. I'm not sure how much negotiating can be done by email - do you have a trusted friend or relative that could negotiate on your behalf?

You would have to speak to the supplier to give authority for your account to be discussed but then someone else could do all the talking. If you do this, it is important that you get everything confirmed in writing in case there are any misunderstandings.

I am also wondering if you can get any grants to improve insulation in your home? Maybe it would be worth a visit to CAB or similar to go through everything with them?

Joyful

Contact British Gas and ask about the new Essentials package. You may be able to get on the cheaper tariff. If not you will be eligible for Free insulation if appropriate to your property. They may also be able to point you in other directions.