Low income electricity tarrifs

toerag33

Hi

I'm hoping someone on the forum can advise me. We have a friend (57yrs) who lives in Ayrshire whose sole income is Incapacity Benefit - £185 every 2 weeks. I call her every morning to see if she is still alive. She has recently come out of hospital after having a partial hip replacement. The flat has no central heating and she is terrified to put the gas fire on because of the cost but for the last 3 days it is on for 1.5hours in the evening. She sits in the dark, again because of the bills, in a chair with duvets we have given her fully dressed. I persuaded her to contact Scottish and Southern Electricity who have been and told her she can't have the reduced low income tarrif because she doesn't use enough units. Has she been given the correct information?

Due to her age is not eligible for help from any organisations!

Thank-you for taking the time to read this.

CharlieBilly

I think companies have different criteria for social tariffs. Usually its on how much income they have left after paying housing costs, food etc but also if they on certain benefits or have a illness or disability

Try this

http://www.energychoices.co.uk/social-tariffs.html

£185 a fortnight isnt a lot, I assume she does get other help with council tax, possible rent etc

Online tariffs can be comparable to social tariffs rate, but you need to submit meter readings regularly, and pay by direct debt also they may do a credit check

spiro

From what I have read on this forum a lot of 'social' tariffs especially those who are in fuel poverty look at how much you spend on gas/elec compared to your total income (think this includes any rent paid by social). If the fuel is greater than x% (I think x is quite large) you get it otherwise not. So if you are scared of putting the heating on you cant get it.

As said there are others for people on specific benefits.

In terms of age she is only 57 which is several years off the retirement age and any winter fuel payments.

KimYeovil

Unfortunately those who are too poor to use lots of heating in the first place do not qualify for social tariffs.

She needs to survive for another three years until her income is doubled. Once she hits 60 she can skip and laugh from the post office to waitrose with her increased benefits. Note that you suggest she has an extra £55 a fortnight so that is £55 she can spend (she only needs to spend it over winter) - that is way more than enough to keep a single room warm.

She should also choose the cheapest tariff herself - she can pay by direct debit. That should be as inexpensive as any social tariff.

You have to talk to her to see what it is she is saving her money for. Have you discussed with her how little the gas fire actually costs to run? Show her how to estimate how much one unit on the gas meter costs. (Remember to use the tier 2 figure not the tier 1 when explaining this.)

A single gas fire is not going to cost much more than 10p or 12p per hour, is it? (3 or 4 kWh at most, many just 2 kWh). So 2 hrs morning 3 hrs afternoon, 5 hrs evening for way less than £1.50. £45 per month. (Less than that due to thermostat, more than that due to efficiency).

You need to talk to her and work out why she is refusing to spend her income on for what it is being given to her - what is she spending it on instead?

christabell

Please ask your friend or you contact The Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99 they can advise what help is available for your friend. She may also be able to get the Warm Front grant for central heating. There is a different telephone number for Scotland. Again the H H H will be glad to help you out. See below...


We can advise you on benefits, grants for free home insulation, reduced tariffs and special payment options your energy supplier provides to help those struggling with their fuel bills. Our experts are always happy to help. To chat to one of our specially trained advisors call us for FREE on 0800 33 66 99. You can call yourself, on behalf of a relative, friend, patient, client or neighbour that you’re worried about. Nobody need go cold. So, please call us. The Home Heat Helpline is open 9am-8pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm on Saturdays — and it won’t cost you penny to ring, it’s free.