supplier

clairacluck_2

hi i wonder if someone could give me some advice. my parents are over 65 they have a prepayment electric meter with eon and pay approx £15 a week and pay gas by direct debit which is £75 a month with british gas. i live with them and due to illness am on higher rate dla. we know we should change suppliers to find a better deal but dont really understand what to do for the best. we have been on comparison sites but are still confused with so many suppliers going up. ideally the electric is easier for us on a prepay meter. any advice would be great.

rogerblack

Electric and gas together on credit meters will be cheaper.
Have you considered getting an energy meter - like:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/E-O-N-ENERGY-POWER-METER-MONITOR-99P-START-NO-RESERVE-/160921662638?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item2577adb4ae
Will tell you how many units you've used this month, and day, with a 'live' power use meter.

Or are there other reasons for the prepaid meter rather than just being forced to keep a close eye on spending?

Have you done basic energy efficiency things - swapped out all the lightbulbs for CFL, for example?

clairacluck_2

We are on the prpaid meter basically because we need to keep an eye on our spending, my parents get a basic pension and i have long term health issues so dont work. i know the prepayment meter is more but we dont worry about having a bill. are there any schemes which are for those who get high rate dla or for the over 65s. we are struggling and now winter is on the way more so.

rogerblack

Is the gross annual income of everyone under 16K?
http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/support-centre/service-and-standards/warm-home-discount.aspx - for example.
If this is the case, and as they are under 62, the 'broader group' of the warm home initiative would apply. http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/funding/whds/whd_broader/whd_broader.aspx

Alternatively, if you were to switch the bill into your name, you may seperately qualify, due to the benefits you get.
Are you getting IR-ESA or IS, as well as DLA?

On other matters.
Are they claiming carers allowance for looking after you (assuming you get middle rate care or above) (assuming they do this for >35h/week) or are you doing so for them?

Wywth

clairacluck wrote: »

hi i wonder if someone could give me some advice. my parents are over 65 they have a prepayment electric meter with eon and pay approx £15 a week and pay gas by direct debit which is £75 a month with british gas. i live with them and due to illness am on higher rate dla. we know we should change suppliers to find a better deal but dont really understand what to do for the best. we have been on comparison sites but are still confused with so many suppliers going up. ideally the electric is easier for us on a prepay meter. any advice would be great.

I'm not sure why you are consfused by the comparison sites, but if you care to provide us with the anticipated annual consumption levels in kWh (the supplier can provide this to the account holder if you do not know) and your supply region (or first part of the post code) then I'm sure someone could help you

As MSE Martin says, even if you don't get it 100% optimised, making say 50% of the possible savings is better than doing nothing.