Help with sorting parent's bills

P0123

Hi AndyPK

I will check on MSE's "Comparison" pages to see what the best deals are for energy only, (ie, without the phone package).

I am only changing operators if he is currently paying more than he needs to, (which wouldn't surprise me, because he doesn't have internet or anything like that where he can get comparisons, and so will have stuck with the same people since someone told him). Of course, if SSE still offer the best rate, when I take off the phone package, against the others, then I shall keep with them.
The phone charges are approx the equivalent of £30 pm. Based on annual charges, that is an extra £360(+) being paid on fresh air, (which would be welcome towards his expensive Care Home bill, albeit only a small dent).

P0123

Hi Mister G

Thank you for your suggestion.

I appreciate that not everyone on here is an expert, but I was asking for people's personal experiences, recommendations and advice, really. Since my Dad has become "ill", I have found, more often than not, that the "official channels" regularly cannot give as good personal advice and information as those who have "been there".

Incidentally, on my last visit to the local CAB this year, the man actually kept referring me to the internet, and bringing up pages, first, from their own website, and then to other sites giving information on the questions that I asked. I really need people who are "in the know", and understand this complicated situation.

P0123

Hi Robin9

Thank you for your advice.

What is "Homecare"? (- excuse my ignorance, but I have come across that name/phrase a lot lately, and it covers a variety of businesses, Care Companies and more!)

Yes, he already had the Council Tax discount, but now I am applying for the "Exemption" on the basis that he is now living in a Care Home.

I already had the post redirected, since I used to deal with it when I visited, but on the odd occasion, something may have needed more urgent attention. Coincidentally, I have just renewed the redirection, because now he is in a Home and I have extended it for a year this time, but I understand that you are only permitted to have a post redirection for 3 years. I have discovered that not everyone will allow me to change his address to my address, and so I shall just have to keep to the redirection service for another year and a half, and then work out something!

No, I agree about the estimated bills. I, personally, often get an "E" on the odd bill, when I have submitted a reading, (or someone has visited), and so I get back to them quickly. With my Dad's Water bill, though, I noticed it didn't seem to be reduced after he moved to the Care Home, which I have queried with them. They told me to do a meter reading, but then I discovered the meter (in the pavement) was covered with "soil" or something. Eventually, someone came to check and clear the "obstruction", and advised that there are no leaks, and so the statements should be correct. I shall have to keep an eye on that one!

P0123

Hi Houbara

Thank you for your advice.

Yes, I have/am doing as you say in your first paragraph, but as for the "rebuild cost", I shall have to go by my Dad's old figure, on his old Insurance details, because I haven't got a clue, otherwise!

I shall be going via MSE where possible, which I usually tend to do for my own finances, but wasn't sure if I could get a second "quote" via the CheapEnergyClub for my Dad, since I am already a member, and have my own quotes from them already.
I am not sure if it is the same allowance, but I do know that Dad gets whatever energy discount applies for Pensioners.
As previously mentioned, above, the meter is in the pavement outside (for individual houses), and I am now keeping an eye on their bills, and shall take readings when I am able, when I visit that address.
Oh, and what is "an Ebico no standing charge tariff"?

P0123

Hi "greyteam59"

Thank you for your suggestion.

Yes, I have applied for Attendance Allowance for him, (and Council Tax exemption), but am still waiting for the outcome!

P0123

Hi Mojisola

Yes, thank you; it does state that he should be able to receive it, depending on his "disabilities", and because he is paying for everything himself. I understand that, if the Council paid towards the Care Home fees, then he would not be able to claim.

P0123

Yes, thank you. (Please see above reply to Mojisola.)

That said, the Govt certainly do not make things easy for people, if they didn't have their wits about them or know where to look!

AndyPK

If he has no internet, BT will be the best choice, as they have been told to stop ripping off people who only have a phone. I don't know if it has kicked in yet, but it should be less than £19/month. Maybe £15 ish ?
also search for BT basic and see if he would qualify for that (those on low income)
It's very good value.

Energy bill is made up from the amount used + a "standing charge" for having a connection etc. This is good for a house occupied all year.

However if the house in empty, you are better off paying a higher cost per KWH but zero standard charge (or low)
However as you plan to keep the heating on, it may not be relevant.

Boiler cover is usually done by energy companies I think. More often than not, these are a rip off and con. As the house is empty I wouldn't bother having this.

I_Love_comps

I have recently dealt with my mothers house insurance. She is in a care home now.
You will have to let the company know that the property is empty. Some insurance companies will not insure empty properties, and if they do the price will increase.
Other utilities were fairly straightforward, but all will require to see POA documentation.

P0123

Thank you AndyPK, but as I mentioned, I am cancelling the phone because he isn't using it, so there's no point in paying for a phone he doesn't use.

I have decided to keep with SSE, because they have offered me a "pay-as-you-go" kind of option, and so that should be very little, since very rarely will any electric or gas be used.

As for the boiler cover, I hadn't renewed it because I had intended to shop around, but it seems, on here, the consensus seems more a case of "not to bother" with boiler cover.

Having had the annual service in June, and everything was fine, I thought I would be okay for now, but yesterday, a neighbour phoned to say that there was an alarm going off, which turned out to be a carbon monoxide alarm flashing and beeping. The instructions said to ring a number and an "Emergency Service" came out, checked and capped it and cut the gas off, advising that I should get a Gas Engineer in.
I have arranged that today, after some wasted calls to other businesses, with British Gas again, and ended up buying the "cover" again, because it should work out cheaper than paying for an Engineer IF there is work to be done. Ironically, the new price of the cover is about £100 cheaper than what they had originally quoted for the "renewal"!