Same customer entitled to discount ... Switch?

wordsfan

I'm an sse customer. Following today's announcement I am worried sick. I am not working due to ill health and on benefits. Try n keep my energy usage as low as possible. Single mum 1 child. I need to do meter readings but I'm not sure if I can afford to switch. As think I owe current company money but having trouble getting a clear answer on this. Even once I can give them readings. I am entitled to the warm home payment thing of £130?? But not sure how best to sort this all out. Live in west of Scotland no citizens advice locally, local charities inundated/under funded. Are there any other charities/ organisations that can advise?

DragonQ

Follow these steps:

1) Check whether you're entitled to the Warm Home Discount here.

2) Submit your meter readings to your current provider(s) ASAP and get a bill generated - putting off the inevitable doesn't help and if you owe money you may not be able to switch providers. Also, there's a chance they may owe you money if you're energy-conscious as you say.

3) Get your annual usage figures in kWh from your bills and enter them into a comparison website to find the cheapest tariff for you. You might want to choose a fixed tariff to avoid price rises for a year or more, plus you can get a bit of cashback when switching.

macman

Why speculate and worry? Do your meter readings today and find out what you actually owe, if anything.
What do you mean by 'afford to switch'? Switching costs nothing.

wordsfan

Afford to refers if I owe them money...I find it all v confusing. I have OCD depression n anxiety which of course don't help. Plus I really struggle with anything beyond basic arithmetic n don't understand how it's all calculated n feel like this makes me vulnerable to being misinformed/conned.

Meter readings difficult due to meter location n OCD but I have a friend who can help.

Thanks for replies so far

macman

Unnless the debt is above about £200, it will not normally result in the supplier blocking a switch.
You don't have to do any maths-give your readings to the supplier and they will update your billing. Presumably your friend can help you check the bill?
Switching online will take you about 20 minutes; 5 minutes to do a comp site search, and 15 minutes to switch online (preferably via cashback site).