Disconnection of electric

withington

This thread is also under Utilities

Over the last year my electricity only property has racked up a horrendous £1000 electricity bill which I have struggled to keep ontop of. Redundancy etc.
Four weeks ago answering letters to say I would be disconnected I came home to let in an authorised bailiff and electricity official who said I was having a meter.
They looked at the space and decided I couldnt have a meter as the space was too small. A few phone calls later and they disconnected me. My supplier is Scottish Power.
I dont really udnerstand and I figured if they had intended to put in a meter maybe this should have been said as i could have alerted them to the compactness of my property.
Anyway I have been without electricity for approx a month. Scottish power require the balance in full for re-connection and I just dont have it. Nor do I have a credit card, access to one or friends and family in a position to help.
I am on anti depressants and my mental health is deteriorating and I just feel I am about to go through a winter with no electric.
Why wont they accept the payments I can do?
I feel very down and I feel like life couldnt get much worse. Sorry to be so woe is me. Does anyone have any advice?

DarkConvict

Get in touch with your utility suppliers
Contact each utility company whose bill you haven't paid. Explain your situation and offer to pay an amount you can afford.
All fuel suppliers (electricity and gas) follow a code of practice that means they won't cut off your supply if you agree a payment plan with them and then keep to it. You'll need to ask your supplier for their code of practice details. They should take into account your ability to pay - complain to Consumer Direct if they don't - see 'What to do if you have problems dealing with your fuel supplier' below.
A payment plan could include:
paying by weekly or monthly instalments
using a pre-payment meter
With a pre-payment meter, you use a smart card, key or token (or sometimes coins) to pay for your gas or electricity as you use it. You recharge your card or key at PayPoint outlets like newsagents and Post Offices. If you have a pre-payment meter installed, remember you'll only get a supply when it's topped up.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10025592

So long as you were paying for your current usage, and something towards the arrears they should not have cut you off.

I would contact CAB, and given the mental health issues MIND as well.
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ - 08451 264 264
http://www.mind.org.uk/ - 0845 766 0163

Since this has gone far down the line, i would however give consumer direct a phone call first (08454 04 05 0)

Local numbers
East of England: 01438 737460
East Midlands: 01522 563000
London: 0208 1818956
North-East: 01642 692043
North-West: 0203 1035165
Scotland: 01851 822401
South East: 01622 626520
South West: 01209 720333
Wales (English language): 02920 367800
Wales (Welsh language): 02920 367801
West Midlands: 02476 786610
Yorkshire and the Humber: 0113 201 3670

withington

Thank you for that advice. I have given Consumer Direct a call and it is referred to Consumer Credit Counsilling Service. Hopefully they will have further advice.
Thank you

DarkConvict

CCCS is good with helping with debt management, i recommended consumer direct for the treatment you had received. OFGEM is the regulator you may wish to ring.

dancingfairy

You can always try getting your MP involved - they have powers to get things sorted. You should not have to put up with this - clearly something has gone wrong - I hope you can get things sorted.
Perhaps also try your local CAB as well - someone out there can help you get this sorted.
df