British Gas debt crippling me!

Lil_Nicky_105

Hi I have an outstanding debt with British Gas of just over £200 which I am paying off on my prepay meter. I have rung and asked them to reduce the amount I pay back each time and they have refused, I am on ESA as I suffer from anxiety and receive around £50 a week to live on, this doesn't leave me much after food and electric, council tax and water rates to live on, I pay £15 into my meter each fortnight and am lucky if I get £3.00 for gas, I go without heating, bathing and washing my clothes as I simply don't have the money to keep topping it up, they take off more than they let me have. Is there anything I can do? They are really unhelpful when Ive tried explaining my situation. Any advice would be lovely. Im 23 and this is my first home.

Stevie_Palimo

Take a look here :


http://www.britishgas.co.uk/blog/articles/panicking-about-your-bills-theres-help-available


Or failing this then speak with CAB and ask if they can assist you.

Nada666

£7.50 a week, £1.80 standing charge, minimum debt repayment for the poor of £3.30 (or is it a bit more now?).

Not much more than £3 or £4 a fortnight usable sounds about right so you are probably already paying the minimum. Your problem is your income not British Gas.

You could switch supplier to Ebico which would remove the £1.82 standing charge but if you like your heating you would pay more in winter. But it would also help you avoid arrears of standing charges over summer.

[STRIKE]You could apply for a budgeting loan from the DWP (actually, no, scrub that - they have higher weekly repayment rates than utility companies.).[/STRIKE]