Cheaper GAS if Disabled person in the House?

savemoney

This is the case with my daughter who suffers from CMT, poor circulation

Its a disgrace that there is no extra help for at least some people that have a disability who require extra heating to keep warm

http://cmt.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=59

"Exceptionally cold hands and feet are also common, caused by poor circulation in the extremities. "

jazabelle wrote: »

Surely it depends on the condition. Many conditions cause vulnerability to the cold, particularly things like joint problems where the cold can cause additional pain. But I'm sure there are loads of conditions where more warmth is needed.

jennilb

Hi

I am with british gas for both gas and electric and I get their 'special' rate (I believe its 25% off the standard tarriff) because I get disability living allowance. I just sent them the letter proving this and they set it up. So perhaps your friend, assuming they get DLA for their kid, should consider investigating if switching suppliers will help her get a better deal.

I also got free loft insulation from british gas because I get a means tested benefit ie housing benefit. I just had to prove benefit (and landlord's permission). They do cavity wall insulation free too for people on benefits. They also offered me a thing to attach to the electric meter to monitor usage (couldn't have this as my meter is locked in basement) and a special extension multi plug socket thing so when you turn the TV off by remote it saves electricity on TV and dvd / set top box etc (I don't have a TV though). I can't praise them enough!

I hope this helps
Jenni

longhotbath

We are another household with a disbled 6 year old who needs a consistently warm house - we are with eon, on a discounted rate, but that has now ended, and will need to look for a cheaper supplier.

Thanks for the link on the cold weather payment - we will qualify, so I will keep an eye on the directgov site if the weather gets colder.

Indie_Kid

Would warmfront help out at all in this situation? I know they give grants for things such as old boilers.

wornoutmumoftwo

I'm with BG on their essentials tarif. We do have a disabled child but went on this low tarif due to low income/high heating costs prior to my son getting diagnosed. (We're on storage heaters that lose heat by evening so have to use manual heating, and according to the energy people's computer - my home is warm - I wish!)

I want to move to Eon (tesco points) but they seem to have no tarif to match the one I'm on.

C_Mababejive

Oh dear..i can see a case building now for certain groups to get cheaper electric and Gas than the rest of us. Then "the rest of us" will pay more to make up the difference so we will not be able to afford to use it and we will just have to sit in the dark/freeze.

This is what Socialism is all about you see.

Gas and electric companies are commercial organisations, not philanthropic societies.

savemoney

Well I have said several times before, People on pensions get help whether they are rich or poor the reason because as you get older you feel the cold. I understand it would be difficult to implement this on means tested.

I dont dispute many need this money either nor resent it

But why exclude some people who clearly are just as in need? I am not saying all may need help with heating due to disability but some do. DLA is there only to make that persons life as normal its not meant for extra heating which if they have a mobility car have little or no help after that

C_Mababejive

I say one price for all. thats the only fair way...but meddling socialists will try to skew things.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Oh well. Just so long as it's the poor and disabled that're freezing to death because they physically need greater warmth, that'll make it nice and fair, then?

And with the commercial organisations (which are incidentally run/owned by members of government/people in positions of considerable power in various countries - so not strictly independent or apolitically run anyway) the poor pay a higher price for their energy in the form of key meters/inability to access internet based tariffs - hardly the actions of meddling socialists or the one price for all ideal you wish for, is it?

jazabelle

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Oh well. Just so long as it's the poor and disabled that're freezing to death because they physically need greater warmth, that'll make it nice and fair, then?

The thing is these idiots that are against socialism are never the ones struggling themselves. They make these judgements from a place of comfort and privilege, so will never really get it.

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I say one price for all. thats the only fair way...but meddling socialists will try to skew things.

It isn't fair though, is it? Fair would be everyone paying the same - but many disabled people are actually paying a hell of a lot more, first as they need the heating on more, and also because poverty and disablity often go hand in hand. Therefore the reduction would create more of an even playing field, rather than be a huge benefit to disabled people.