Disability and gas bill :(

Penny-Pincher!!

savemoney wrote: »

Pensioners get help with heating because they are more prone to cold, poor circulation. Poor circulation does not just effect the elderly it can effect young/middle age people too if they have certain medical/disability, surely they deserve some help?

Heating bills are really effecting everyone even more so for those on low incomes and or disabled particularly those with poor circulation.

I have been unable to work for the past 3 years due to illness and disability, so I DO know what you are saying. I feel the cold severely and my heating is still set on now if the temp falls below 22c in the house as I cant get cold! I am 34, so I dont think Im too old.

I do agree that its unfair that older people automatically get a cold weather payment as most I know are much fitter and healthier than me:o

All I meant to say that with times being so tight, we need to factor in costs of heating if we require it to maintain a certain temperature.

There are ways of keeping costs as low as possible for our needs and circumstances. I personally do:

wear layers
wear socks
lots of hot drinks filling a flask, so you dont keep boiling kettle
blankets
keep curtains shut when sun goes down

HTH

Our DD has just dropped from £152 pcm to £130, but if I work it to each day over the year our G&E works to £3.80 after our annual discount etc but we are at home pretty much 24/7.

Of course I would love it to be cheaper, but our priorities are food and heat.

I really wasnt being funny.

PP
xx

savemoney

Sorry Penny-Pincher!! I didnt mean it to come across like that, I know you wasnt been funny

sandraroffey

call the provider immediately, explain the situation and get a pre payment meter put in. a part of what you put in the meter will come off the debt.

my bill wsnt at much as yours but the gas company couldnt have been nicer (cant remember who it was now!!) and it took about two years to pay it off, at something like £8 a week coming off of what i put on the meter. i still have the meter now, and never get a bill. its great.

shopaholic2

Hi all,
I thought I would let you know what's happened. I emailed them again, explaining the situation, and how desperate i was,and they emailed me back saying please ring us so we can help.
i did,(very brave!) and a really nice lady said we can arrange a payment card for you so all the reminders stop, yes you still have to pay this amount, but it will be fortnightly.
It's £75 a fortnight, still it has taken a HUGE weight off my mind, and I know I wont get cut off now!!
Thank you to everyone for your help
xx

Penny-Pincher!!

shopaholic2 wrote: »

Hi all,
I thought I would let you know what's happened. I emailed them again, explaining the situation, and how desperate i was,and they emailed me back saying please ring us so we can help.
i did,(very brave!) and a really nice lady said we can arrange a payment card for you so all the reminders stop, yes you still have to pay this amount, but it will be fortnightly.
It's £75 a fortnight, still it has taken a HUGE weight off my mind, and I know I wont get cut off now!!
Thank you to everyone for your help
xx

That's great news!

Can you afford the £75 a fortnight though and does that include your current useage, or is that on top?

PP
xx

shopaholic2

Hi PP, its for the debt AND current usage so shouldn't get anymore bills, and yes i can afford it,have to give up eating (joke!!) but its taken such a weight off my mind.
thanks x

savemoney

I am glad at least you got some closure for this, it must be a worry for you, energy bills are a worry for most people these days due to souring prices

Not sure if I said this before but its always worth taking readings every month and informing your energy suppliers, I do this with water meter too

This way no nasty shocks and this can save money if prices rise you can pay the old price in some cases

Also cut back where possible, low energy bulbs about 5 for 39p in Morrisons at mo.

Insulation see if you qualify for a grant from energy supplier or warmfront

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/What-can-I-do-today/Energy-saving-grants-and-offers

bored_at_home

mine was actually more than that and i live on my own buyt i realy feel the cold.
i had the same result realy, i pay #40 a week on a payment card and use my dla money to cover it.