My gas is too expensive, I can't afford it!

meiona

Hi there, I'm new here. My name is Meiona and I have a little girl and I have a couple of disabilities.

Anyway, I can't afford my gas anymore. I am with Scottish Power. I got sent a new card last week and I used the emergency credit. On Saturday, I topped it up £10 and when I put in my card, it left me with £2.38, £3 odd for emcr and the rest 'for gas'. I called up Scottish Power and they said the 'for gas' are the standing charges you have to pay. So the £2.38 went in less than 2 hours trying to keep my daughter's bedroom warm and having a bath. I have no double glazing or anything and my house is HELL in the cold.

So anyway, I had to make do with no gas on Sunday. I just topped it up by £9 about 45 minutes ago and the same thing happened. I have been left with £1.80 for gas.

The emergency only gave me £5, this is ridiculous. Even if I transfer, it will be after Christmas before it is done and I can't cope as my electricity is very expensive too.

I don't know what to do. I think I'm going to end up very ill. Last month I was in hospital with a serious chest infection due to it being cold, it's even worse now. I can't even go on a pay monthly as they credit checked me apparently, and I failed that.

What should I do??:(

Scottish_Power

Hi meiona can you please e-mail me at [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] and I'll give you a call to see if we can sort this out for you. Thanks David

steve-L

meiona wrote: »

Hi there, I'm new here. My name is Meiona and I have a little girl and I have a couple of disabilities.

Anyway, I can't afford my gas anymore. I am with Scottish Power. I got sent a new card last week and I used the emergency credit. On Saturday, I topped it up £10 and when I put in my card, it left me with £2.38, £3 odd for emcr and the rest 'for gas'. I called up Scottish Power and they said the 'for gas' are the standing charges you have to pay. So the £2.38 went in less than 2 hours trying to keep my daughter's bedroom warm and having a bath. I have no double glazing or anything and my house is HELL in the cold.

So anyway, I had to make do with no gas on Sunday. I just topped it up by £9 about 45 minutes ago and the same thing happened. I have been left with £1.80 for gas.

The emergency only gave me £5, this is ridiculous. Even if I transfer, it will be after Christmas before it is done and I can't cope as my electricity is very expensive too.

I don't know what to do. I think I'm going to end up very ill. Last month I was in hospital with a serious chest infection due to it being cold, it's even worse now. I can't even go on a pay monthly as they credit checked me apparently, and I failed that.

What should I do??:(

When I was a young boy we had the same situation....
Be careful of any 'deals' that then increase your debt.....
Or each time you top up it will keep disappearing!
Our house had a gas fire and in cold winters we all slept downstairs in the living room. We took baths at the local pool showers... and our house had one of the on-demand water heaters for washing up in the kitchen. We used to take trips 'to the sport centre' etc. or visit people just to save on heating....
We also had looks be damned insulation, plastic over the windows and tape etc.

At the time the gas was a 50p meter. It's a bit sad but the UK standard of living hasn't really progressed since the 70's.

In general, you don't get chest infections from cold... you get them from damp and being huddled in confined spaces (because it's cold).

macman

Do you have debt on the meter? If so, how much is it set to take?

good_advice

Hello Meiona and welcome to the forum.

Many people are in your situation, living in fuel poverty. Some just like to call it by diffrent names like "being careful".

Here our CH has been on for 1 hour this morning and will not be on again until 6-8pm tonight. Yes, I am home all day.

First thing to do is ask Scottish Power if you are on the cheapest tariff for your area?
Next is insulate yourselves. vest, thermal t.shirt and jumper.
Keep moving, do not sit for hours. Get up and do some choirs.

Get out, go for a walk or take your little girl down the library. Ours has children's books and puzzles. Tables and chairs, they can do some colouring.

Try to think positive, I know hard to do... It is 18.4C here at the moment. I was talking to some one a few days ago and they were saying they had visited people who's house is a constant 24C and they still felt cold.
I talked about climate control and how our bodies adapt to heat - like when you visit a hotter/colder country.

Go make a hot drink and fill your hotwaterbottle.

Take care...

undaunted

You may be able to

Get help with free loft / cavity wall insulation from your / other suppliers.

Get the amount being deducted for any debt lowered (eg to around Fuel Direct levels of around £3.50 p/w - particularly if you are on benefits / a low income

Get extra help for your disabilities

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/consumer_help_if_youre_older_disabled_or_on_a_low_income_e/extra_help_with_energy_if_youre_vulnerable_or_on_a_low_income_.htm

Good luck