Cheaper Tariffs for people with babies??

sammyjo1979

A friend of mine told me that certain utility providers gave discounts for low income families and people that have newborns. I have tried searching but can't seem to find anything. Has anyone else ever heard of this?
Thanks

jillyjacks

I think EDF do one for low income families

spiro

Some do social tariffs for people in fuel poverty but you need to spend a large percent of you income (and that includes benefits like reduce rent, council tax) on fuel. Figure that springs to mind was about 30-40% but it was a few weeks since I read the post so can't be sure.

Some people have said that these tend to be 'pay on bill' tariffs so you can sometimes get a better tariff by opting for a dual fuel/DD/online tariff.

davidgmmafan

All companioes (I believe) have socialk taiffs. The criteria can vary as others have a lluded too there is often an element of fuel poverty required. I believe all suppliers would have some criteria to ensure the help is targetted, so there may be an income criteria as well as the criteria regarding a vulnerbale person.

So to answer your question no I am not aware of any tariff specifically for those who have had newborn babies, but I believe this would come under most suppliers social tariff subject to other conditions being met as a child under 16 would be classed as a vulnerbale person.

BTW I believe, though I am not certain fuel povery is officially defined as spending more than 10% of household income on fuel usage.

spiro

davidgmmafan wrote: »

BTW I believe, though I am not certain fuel povery is officially defined as spending more than 10% of household income on fuel usage.

Whilst that is the figure I believe the government use, I think energy suppliers use a much higher figure so target the money available to the most needy.

Airmike23

As spiro put the cheapest tariffs, bar none, that all the major providers aoffer are their online tariffs: Npower Sign Online 20, EDF Online saver 8, Eon Save Online 4, BG Web Saver 10, Southern (Atlantic/Scottish Hydro/SWALEC) Go Direct 5 and Scottish Power Online Energy Saver 12. It will depend on how much you use as a household, and what area ofg the country you live in, but one of the above will be the cheapest deal for you, at least 5-10% cheaper than a power co's social tariff.

HappyMJ

The rate that the companies use is 10% but ALL income is taken into account. You need to add the Housing Benefit you could get, then the Council Tax Benefit, the Child Tax Credit's, the Child Benefit and Income Support and any Child Maintenance you can get. It's then annualised and your last 12 months of bills need to be more than 10% of that. However, if your house is energy efficient you shouldn't be spending more than that. If you lived in my area a non working couple with a 6 month old baby you could get around £17,000 in benefits each year (assuming £120pw rent and £1,200pa council tax) so you need to spend more than £140 per month on fuel such as gas/elec/oil/lpg or coal to be in fuel poverty.

You must also be on any means tested benefit such as Housing Benefit to qualify.

davidgmmafan

BTW off topic but 17k in benefits is absurd, and I'm far from a conservative!

Back on topic nobody is saying the social tariff is ALWAYS (or even ever) the best rate. The thing about it is not everyone has the ability to be on an online tariff or wish to shop around every six to eight months. If the social tariff makes the bill significantly less than it would otherwise be, and is an enduring tariff, then for some people its a suitable solution.