Eon Energy Plan Assist

colalba

I'm trying to help an elderly aunt who is on benefits and gets the Warm Home Discount.  She has just come out of a fixed deal and has been put on a variable plan called "Energy Plan Assist".  The normal variable rate in Eon is called "Energy Plan".  There is an implication in the name that for these vulnerable people who get WHD this is a better deal. However looking at the prices (as at 1st April 2021) as far as i can see it is exactly the same as the normal variable rate.
I'd be grateful if the Eon representative could confirm the facts and if there is ever a difference between the 2 plans.

stewie_griffin

Looking on here https://www.eonenergy.com/gas-and-electricity/our-product-prices.html it looks the only difference is that on assist you get the cheaper DD rates regardless of your payment type.

I'm guessing both tariffs now track the price cap hence they're the same price.

E.ON_Company_Representative

colalba said:

I'm trying to help an elderly aunt who is on benefits and gets the Warm Home Discount.  She has just come out of a fixed deal and has been put on a variable plan called "Energy Plan Assist".  The normal variable rate in Eon is called "Energy Plan".  There is an implication in the name that for these vulnerable people who get WHD this is a better deal. However looking at the prices (as at 1st April 2021) as far as i can see it is exactly the same as the normal variable rate.
I'd be grateful if the Eon representative could confirm the facts and if there is ever a difference between the 2 plans.

Hi Colalba, hope you're well.

The E.ON EnergyPlan Assist is indeed the default tariff for customers who have previously received the Warm Home Discount. It used to be a little cheaper than the standard E.ON EnergyPlan but I've checked today and can indeed see the prices are now exactly the same.

It doesn't necessarily mean that your aunt has to stay on this tariff, she'll have the option of any others that we offer. The easiest way to make a switch would be through an online account if the account is managed this way. There may also be better deals available elsewhere. 

Thanks, Matt

colalba

Well thanks to the Eon representative for being available and answering the question clearly.
However I do think calling it  "Assist" when it is in practice the highest rate is taking advantage of vulnerable people, not all of who have others to help them.
As far as I can see all of the cheaper fixed deals insist on getting a Smart meter installed.  She is not keen on that, especially when covid is still floating around.  So it looks like she will be switching after many years with Eon.

Hasbeen

She may struggle to get the best deals by not accepting smart meter setup.

Majority of providers are pushing to install.

brewerdave

Hasbeen said:

She may struggle to get the best deals by not accepting smart meter setup.

Majority of providers are pushing to install.

Still plenty of the smaller providers not insisting on Smarts .