Can you put money on someones key by standing order?

riverboat2001

Basically my friend is always having to give a family member money, but it seems to get frittered away.

Is there a way to put money on this persons key meter via standing order, to ensure the money being given is used for what it's meant for?

Both gas and electric.

Cheers

victor2

If they have a smartcard meter, I believe they can be topped up online. So your friend could do that periodically or even see if their bank could do a standing order for it.
However, key meters have to be topped up at a paypoint outlet, so I doubt if you have any way to regularly top one of those up.
Probably best to ask the energy supplier what options there are.

meg72

No this is not possible as the transaction is entered on the key and then inserted into meter.

[Deleted User]

I beleive that British Gas can do online top ups for key meters. they send a gizmo out to you to enable this, so this method may be used somehow to add credit to that account

rogerblack

riverboat2001 wrote: »

Basically my friend is always having to give a family member money, but it seems to get frittered away.

Is there a way to put money on this persons key meter via standing order, to ensure the money being given is used for what it's meant for?

They could in principle take over the electiricy/gas supply, and have a credit meter fitted in their name.

victor2

rogerblack wrote: »

They could in principle take over the electiricy/gas supply, and have a credit meter fitted in their name.

But, family or not, you can see the arguments now:
"You're using too much electricity.....";)

chris1973

I beleive that British Gas can do online top ups for key meters. they send a gizmo out to you to enable this, so this method may be used somehow to add credit to that account

Yes they do. They use a USB base which plugs into your computer, you then place the 'key' into the base and top up online using a debit or credit card, in a similar way to paying a bill online. I have no idea whether there is an option to pay by Standing order, but I suppose you could register a card in there for future top ups.

Its just a shame that BG are very uncompetitive when it comes to Prepayment Tariffs in some areas for some customers, as I reckon they are on a winner with this idea, especially for those with mobility problems or who live out in the sticks. Its also a shame that non of the other companies are following with their own devices.