Help with heating costs

Brassedoff

When I eventually get dressed (or rather when my wife does for me), I have to put so many layers on the keep the cold off my back, after I get home, it's back under the quilt in bed, one for rest, the other to keep warm. Our central heating is on fulltime now as I expect is anyone's who suffer from the cold on their bones or muscles and it is getting more expensive.

Is there any help you can get with heating costs? On IB, IS and DLA (but I don't think the last makes a difference)

Oldernotwiser

Have you tried an electric heating pad? My husband swears by his and it really helps to keep central heating costs down.

Brassedoff

If it's one plugged into the mains, it will tempt the wife!

Seriously, I have not heard of that. Got any details please?

Prinzessilein

You could ask your energy provider if they have a 'social tariff'.

My provider offers a lower rate for people on DLA - I am on a prepayment meter and will get free tokens for my meter key twice a year.

I thiink all providers are required to offer a social tariff, but exactly what they offer varies.

TOBRUK

Hi Brassedoff, there are a few providers who offer people on DLA, IS, or who are over 60 a 'social tariff'. I have been on one for two years (with SWALEC) and had 20% off my energy bills. They are one of the first to put their gas prices up and the tariff I was on only lasted 2 years and they have now altered their social tariff and I am looking to move to a different supplier.

Here is a link to consumer choice website that shows you the social tariffs for different suppliers that are available and what the eligibility rules are for each. It is worth a look.

http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/get-advice/energy/households/energy-tariffs-explained/social-tariffs

Oldernotwiser

Brassedoff wrote: »

If it's one plugged into the mains, it will tempt the wife!

Seriously, I have not heard of that. Got any details please?

We bought his for half the price in Lidl but this is the sort of thing. We have one by the bed and another by the armchair

RazWaz

I'm with Scottish Power and got put on a lower tariff because of my DLA, could be worth speaking to your provider.

bertiebat

One thing worth noting on looking for cheaper tariffs is that even with social tariff discounts, they may still be more expensive than some other standard ones.

It would be useful if the comparison websites allowed for a more detailed collection of relevant data to get a more definitive result. Unless there is of course?

Invalidation

I have severe back pain and we bought a large patch of sheepskin from Ebay. Fixed that to an old support corset with the wool facing in and that keeps my back nice and warm even when we go out.

savemoney

I am on a social tariff with British Gas. I use essential tariff and I also submit my meter readings every month. I barely just paid for last Winters usage for gas and now my DD has gone up because of the extra gas I used last Winter

We are on it due to my daughter suffering from a disability she has a known issue which is made worse with the cold and she is rarely warm even in Summer. Unfortunately only help she gets is DLA

We buy her blankets when she watches tv in living room and she also wears pyjamas, dressing gown (thick wolly one) and a fleece type blanket. I also bought last year some slankets which are thing blankets you can wear around the house

T--J

The heating pads are in Lidl's on Thursday