Southern Electric

sgirl123

Can anyone help me?
I always paid my electric bill as a set direct debit each month.


I have worked all my life, and am now unemployed since July. I am currently receiving Income support and basic child tax credits. With the income I am now receiving I cannot physically afford my electric bill each month. I have contacted SE who suggested a pre payment meter. They have just sent me a bill for nearly £1,000. I have managed to get a £100 discount off the bill as I am on Income support. I cannot switch providers due to this debt so am stuck with SE.But is there any other financial help I may be missing????or any other suggestions??? I am new to all of this and need guidance.

Nada666

Why can't you pay the bills by direct debit? £71 for you, £83 for your child, that should be more than £670 per month to live on.

Building up arrears of £1,000 is a pretty bad idea - that'll add £83 to your debit but I cannot see why you would not have been able to pay for your ongoing usage with an income of £670. Even if you paid £170 per month that would still leave you £500 to live on.

How much do you consume to build up that sort of debt? How much is necessary?

There are charitable grants available for one-off write-offs of debt and with your income it would be manageable (that is, you can easily pay for ongoing usage with your income.)

So the primary question is - why are you 'physically' unable to pay for your usage? What is your actual usage? Does it really cost more than £200 averaged over a year? If so, move.

macman

Over what period have you built the £1K debt? Surely not since July? That's huge, considering we are only at the start of winter.
How is the property heated and hot watered? Are you on the cheaspest SE tariff? Insulation?
Post your annual kWh usage.