We are both pensioners and have a major problem

sirhc21

We are both pensioners and I care for my disabled husband.  A year or so ago we answered an ad to have Gas Central heating put in on a government grant for disabled people.  We had no gas in our property and they said we to have a gas meter installed.  We went to our gas supplier and they installed a meter. Then the government changed the criteria and disabled people were no longer able to get the grant.
But now our gas supplier is asking for £126.38 final demand.
This happened the last two months each time for this amount.  Both of these times I managed to get the bill squashed. 
They keep saying I have to pay for the meter even though I have no gas appliances and no gas used. The meter reads 0000.000
I have tried phoning the gas people,  I have messaged 
Them, I don't know what to do.
This final demand says a debt agency will be their next step.
I have never been behind with my electricity and this worry is making us ill.
Who should I contact
What can I do
I have electricity and gas meter with same gas people.  I didn't want to name them in case it went against the rules
Please help me

molerat

The problem here is that you asked for a supply to be installed and entered into a contract for gas with your supplier so you have agreed to pay those charges even if you have no gas use.  You do not really meet the criteria to have the standing charges removed.

I think your only option is to ask for the meter to be removed, many suppliers will do this FOC but some will charge.

Naming the supplier will not break any rules and someone may be able to point you in the direction of their priority services team who may be able to pull some strings. 

Another option is to contact Citizens Advice who have direct access to top level CS at the suppliers.

(I have reported this post to try and get it moved to the energy board as the subject is more energy than disability related)

MSE_ForumTeam5

We've moved this to the Energy board as per @molerat's suggestion above.

sirhc21

Thank you 
My supplier is Scottish power 

[Deleted User]

OP - have a word with Citizens’ Advice. They can act as ‘go between’ between the supplier and yourself to get this matter resolved.

[Deleted User]

sirhc21 said:

A year or so ago we answered an ad to have Gas Central heating put in on a government grant for disabled people.  We had no gas in our property and they said we to have a gas meter installed.  We went to our gas supplier and they installed a meter. Then the government changed the criteria and disabled people were no longer able to get the grant.

Hi,

you answered an AD, were you conned into this agreement?

MWT

sirhc21 said:

This happened the last two months each time for this amount.  Both of these times I managed to get the bill squashed. 
They keep saying I have to pay for the meter even though I have no gas appliances and no gas used. The meter reads 0000.000

Hopefully Citizens' Advice can help, but molerat is right unfortunately, by requesting the supply to be installed, you have accepted that you will pay the standing charges regardless of your actual use, so the bill is almost certainly valid, which is why it keeps coming back...

lisyloo

It doesn’t sound like a con at all.
there was a grant available and now there isn’t.
its a shame the grant wasn’t secured before the installation but maybe it’s a pre-requisite and it’s just unlucky.
where is the element of con when applying for something covered by a government grant.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

do you actually use any gas?

sheramber

Do you get housing benefit or pension credit?

sirhc21

We have no gas appliances.  As we both have pensions we don't get pension credit or housing