British Gas Debt advice

Ed500

Hi

Maybe somebody who has been through this problem can offer some advice.

BG have cancelled our monthly payment scheme due to falling behind with payments ( exacerbated by a cheque being lost in the post).

They are refusing to restart it due to the debt we owe (850 pounds) , the only circumstances would be to pay 160 pounds a month, or a prepayment meter installed.

They seem very stubborn and unreasonable.

The bill owner is over 70 and there is another pensioner in the house.

I vaguely remember reading a while back about longer payment schemes, but cannot find it.

Is there no other payments scheme that can be agreed?

Thanks for any advice.

tripled

British Gas have become quite strict in payments as they try to cut the amount of debt they are owed. They will set up a payment arrangement in the first instance, but if you don't stick to it, they come down hard.

If everyone in the house is over 60 legally they cannot be disconnected between October and March. Generally speaking if you can prove there is no-one under 60 living in the house they won't disconnect at all, however there is nothing to stop them force fitting a prepayment meter (at vast expense).

If you are having that much difficulty making the payments why not agree to a prepayment meter?

Also if you can demonstrate that you are in fuel poverty (more than 10% of the household's gross income is spent on gas and electricity) you may be able to get assistance from the british gas energy trust.

Longer payment schemes are only generally offered if you are not at fault for the balance being accrued (not being billed correctly for a long period) or if you agree to go on a prepayment meter but can't afford the weekly repayment (you would have to demonstrate why you couldn't afford the payment, insufficient income would be fine but prioritizing other debts wouldn't be accepted).