Info on qualifying for discounted tarriffs?

purplehearts066

Hi all
I've researched this and am really confused.
From the info I've researched on this forum it would appear I qualify for British Gas Essentials tarriff.
I have 2 children, me and my partner receive income support, incapacity benefit, housing benefit and child tax credit and have long term health problems
However I called up and was told I didn't qualify as my income was 'too high'. In considering my income they also added on my Housing Benefit and Council tax benefit.
I was told there is a set income you have to be below, but I don't see how anyone with children living in rented accommodation could qualify, as we are already on the minimum the law says we need to live on, and if you have children you will receive extra income for them - but the point is you *need* this extra income to pay for your children!
Our housing benefit and council tax benefit are below average - we live in a really rubbish area in a council house and our housing benefit is 60 pounds a week, ctb 60 pounds a month - so its not like we are living in a big expensive house in a nice area.
It just doesn't seem fair - if we were living in a friends house rent free we would qualify as we wouldnt have housing benefit or council tax benefit as income, and if I was a single healthy 20 year old I would qualify as my income wouldnt include tax credits. Surely families with young children are as much of a priority?
I'm really struggling at the moment and we don't put on the gas much even when it's freezing because it's too expensive. Is there any other help, or any other energy companies through whom we would qualify?
Thanks for your help guys and sorry if this sounds ranty!

spiro

You need to remember that these tariffs are offered as part of a suppliers obligations and they all cap the number of customers. Just like the cheap/free insulation.

I have seen mention on here that in some cases these tariffs are not much if any cheaper than the cheapest online dual fuel DD tariffs.

This is not aimed at you (but may apply) but it is well know that energy bills are well down the list (about no 10 from memory) of what people spend their money on/pay first with things like Sky/Cable, mobile phones and other none essentails higher up their priority.

purplehearts066

Oh, and thanks Spiro for the helpful info. I'm guessing these special tariffs are probably about meeting legal obligations, rather than about the energy companies deciding to be altruistic! And yes, that is a fair point. I don't have a contract mobile, or Sky TV and I do try and prioritise energy costs, but you are right - a lot of people I know prioritise non essential costs and then wonder why they are left struggling to pay essential bills.

Joyful

Someone on job seekers would have their income assessed for the support package which does not include the tariff. If that person was also claiming DLA then possibly he may qualify for the tariff as part of the Combined package. You can check this all out on the British Gas website.