British Gas - Problems Paying

EmzJenks

Hello All

I've recently received my recent gas & elec bills from British Gas, I can't afford to pay them though due to a change in my circumstances. I can pay the elec one of £80 but the gas one of £150 is out of my reach at the moment.
Does anyone know if BG will help out if I tell them I can't pay? Do they do arrangements where I can switch to paying monthly & incorporate this outstanding bill into those monthly payments??

Thanks in advance

Cardew

EmzJenks wrote: »

Do they do arrangements where I can switch to paying monthly & incorporate this outstanding bill into those monthly payments??

They do have that facility.

They might allow you that arrangement!

They might not!

Depends how the view your credit record.

enthrone

Best thing is to contact BG.

0800 048 0202 - BG general enquiries.

if you cant make a full payment, best thing is to make a 'token payment'

markharding557

i suspect they will want you to go on direct debit in order to take monthley payments.
also utilities should come before unsecured credit so if you have any of these use the money to pay for gas

KimYeovil

If you are currently on quarterly payments then you should have time to pay. If you contact them and tell them the gas can be cleared over the three months before your next bill then all will be fine.

If you find it easier to pay monthly than quarterly but still want quarterly bills then just pay an instalment to your bill in advance (if you don't trust yourself to keep the money aside.) Or you can switch to a direct debit tariff. This is, of course, the worst time of year to change to either of those options.

Thirdly is their new smart meter add-on where you can pay for each month's actual usage as you go along. This is less flexible than doing it yourself and paying an instalment each month but it will be cheaper.

What you choose depends on how well you can cope with the current debt and the ongoing winter consumption.

EmzJenks

Thanks for all your replies guys! I called them & explained my situation & I've been put on a monthly plan now, which works out ok as the monthly payments add up to the same as the quarterly rate (if that makes sense) Better this way really as I'm rubbish at putting money aside, rather just pay it out as I go along!