500 quid bill...I'm disabled and on benefits!

Phantom_Avenger

Just been sent a 500 quid gas + elec bill dated 5/11/10 to 7/2/11. Elec charges are 176 quid, gas charges 295.

Background? My Ma, the original bill payer, passed away in September 2008 and I went to a solicitor to have him work out her whole debts. The gas /elec firm, who shall for now remain nameless, said ‘don’t worry about it’ and very rarely contacted me until Nov 2010 when my mental health support worker contacted them to get it all worked out and get the bill put in my name. At this time I got a one-off bill calculated at 30 quid which was billed as one week’s worth. I then sent a meter reading for both.

Now, the way I see it is that I have numerous grounds for complaint and reasons to go to the Ombudsman, which are:

I am on benefits including DLA care + mobility rates. This firm does not let people get social tariff unless they are of pensionable age and I have been unable to manage my affairs because of mental problems and of course bereavement. I have had no opportunity or capability to change supplier in the time of billing being in other hands and/or names. Surely I have a right to insist on changing supplier to someone offering social tariff?

The supplier has rarely been in touch with me nor asked or meter readings. This has of course partly resulted in me getting a sudden large bill.

The two aforementioned bills are only based on one meter reading for each item. The rates charged are naturally grossly inaccurate for the given periods marked.

I strenuously contest the rate charged for gas, as I have used very little over the last 2 years, even during the recent cold period.

I have temporarily put this matter in other hands but I doubt these people know what they’re doing. In addition, my mental health support worker has demoted me to drop-in status. Any advice is then much appreciated. Thank you very much in advance.

Phantom_Avenger

In addition...my Ma was on StayWarm!

HappyMJ

Since September 2008 how much have you paid?

Phantom_Avenger

30, was on seperate bill..

Gerrard_8_lfc

If you can't get on the Social Tariff just sign up to there Online tariff which will be as cheap or cheaper than the social tariff you are talking about.

HappyMJ

Phantom_Avenger wrote: »

30, was on seperate bill..

So for 29 months you have a bill of £501.. I'd say that's quite good at only £17 per month.

You can ask that the outstanding amount is spread out over the period of time it accrued if you want so you could offer to pay £34 per month for the next 29 months. That seems quite fair.

Phantom_Avenger

I'll have still been counted as wrong tariff though..want to change supplier too!

jinky67

Phantom_Avenger wrote: »

I'll have still been counted as wrong tariff though..want to change supplier too!

you wont be able to change supplier until the debt is paid off though

Barneysmom

It doesn't sound too bad, my gas this time for the last 3 months was £450 and elec was £180.

You don't have to be a pensioner to go onto social tariff but it is means tested and you need to be on an income of under about £15,000 a year.

jinky67

Social tariffs are not always good value anyway, so you need to check that out as well

Phantom_Avenger

jinky67 wrote: »

Social tariffs are not always good value anyway, so you need to check that out as well

They now have to be equal to cheapest rate by law