Best Electricity Company for Disabled

jowilson

My Mum is on a ventilator at home and uses lots of electricity with various essential machinery.
She can't claim pension credit, does get Attendance Allowance but no other means tested benefits.
Her pensions add up to about £500 per year more than the qualifying income for Homefront.
My question is:- is there any supplier out there who will assist in discounts with her bills due to her high use and her medical needs?

D_M_E

I don't think suppliers these days offer bill assistance because the bill payer is disabled but I could be wrong. As far as I know, they will only put you on a register for emergency assistance in the event of a power cut in order to fast track power reconnection.

By warm home front I assume you mean Warm Home Discount.

As she is not entitled to assistance because she is not part of the Core Group, has she tried applying for the discretionary payments as part of the Broader Group - too late for applications now, but a possibility for next winter.

Make sure she is on the cheapest available tariff and try separate suppliers for gas and electricity.

Also look at contacting any charities for her conditions and see if any help and assistance is available through that route.

macman

Could you please post some more info. What is her actual annual consumption in kWh's, and how is the property heated and hot watered? You have mentioned 'high usage' but that can mean almost anything.
As above, she is unlikely to get a supplier discount, so it's important that she is on the cheapest tariff for her usage, which, armed with her postcode and usage, will take 5 mins on any comp site.
Remember that a dual fuel deal may not be the best option in such circumstances.

jowilson

I've never heard of this but will look it up.

jowilson

Her annual consumption is approx 45 units per day. It's heated and hot watered by electricity.
Yes i can check the comparison website etc but really i was looking to see if any individual company gave extra help for disabled. thanks anyway.

Lube

Never heard of any company having any extra help for disabled other than WHD. Using electric isn't cheapest option to heat your home but not everyone has mains gas

make sure she is on priority register though

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/more-customers-vulnerable-situations-receive-help-under-priority-services-register

http://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/internet/en/power-cuts/priority-services-during-a-power-cut/

Richie-from-the-Boro

jowilson wrote: »

I've never heard of this but will look it up.

If she does not qualify under the Pension Credit rule, apply to her provider for ‘broader group’ help, its still 'tested' by the eligibility criteria. Best of luck.