Energy Discount for cancer sufferers

Laine99

I am a cancer sufferer. My previous energy company gave me discount, however they recently ceased trading. British Gas say I'm not eligible as I am in full time employment.
Advice appreciated pls.

emmajones1976

Sounds harsh but if you are working full time what makes you a special case in this regard?

Interesting first post, as if its a thread to try and polarise.

Robin9

By discount do you mean "Warm Home Discount"  worth £140 ?

Astria

You can make a phone appointment with an energy advisor by contacting the Macmillan Support Line.

You can call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 00 00.

Laine99

I have undertaken a crippling course of chemotherapy, with horrible side effects included not being able to keep warm.
I require my heating to be on constantly.
I opted to work rather than claim sickness benefits, however if I did this it would all be free.
Just seems wrong, being punished for not sponging on benefits

t0rt0ise

Ooh that would be nice. But in all honesty there are loads of other conditions that people have that means people need heating on fairly high. You were lucky to get a discount thus far. I've had nothing.

worrywart_3

Laine99 said:

I have undertaken a crippling course of chemotherapy, with horrible side effects included not being able to keep warm.
I require my heating to be on constantly.
I opted to work rather than claim sickness benefits, however if I did this it would all be free.
Just seems wrong, being punished for not sponging on benefits

People on benefits do not get free heating and there are several components to even be eligible for the warm home discount, one is low income and the other another factor such as a disability or child under a certain age. 

I’m sorry for your illness but your misinformed and using the term spongers for benefits isn’t favourable. 

Torry_Quine

When my husband was not working with cancer he was on SSP only and got no help with energy bills despite needing extra heating.   Just be thankful you can work. I hope all goes smoothly

Laine99

I wasn't looking for free energy, just some financial assistance towards my higher charges currently.
Believe me working was / is a real struggle but  it gave me a focus rather than  succumbing mentally  to this vile disease.

worrywart_3

I can understand that working would be a struggle but helps to have a focus, it was the comment about it would all be free if you were on benefits. There may be charities that may help at the moment energy companies are selling energy at under the price it’s costing them so there’s no lee way, obviously things are normally means tested because help can’t be provided to everyone: I hope you manage to keep fighting, my best friend is also going through this at the moment. I have a electric thow and I have to say it’s amazing costs pence  to run and I can assure you you won’t be cold with one of those over your lap. Probably a worthwhile investment 

wakeupalarm

When you say your previous energy company gave you a discount, are you referring to the warm home discount or some other discount specific to your previous supplier?