Help with Energy Bills Query

Spoonie_Turtle

Rimkh2 said:

How do you keep your energy bills that low? I am very concerned about my 93 year old father. He lives on his own over 200 miles from nearest relatives. His only income is a state pension of £600.00 per month. He is with Edf and was paying £200 per month by direct debit. They have just called him and told him this will increase to £400 from 1st January. This is for a small 2 bed terraced house. He is currently over £600 in credit on his account. At the new rate he will be unable to exist financially within a few months. Help!!!

I think you should ask for advice over on the energy board.  Direct debits are not bills but to get the DD reduced you'd need to know his actual usage (in kWh) to be able to work out would be a reasonable DD amount.

HillStreetBlues

Rimkh2 said:

How do you keep your energy bills that low? I am very concerned about my 93 year old father. He lives on his own over 200 miles from nearest relatives. His only income is a state pension of £600.00 per month. He is with Edf and was paying £200 per month by direct debit. They have just called him and told him this will increase to £400 from 1st January. This is for a small 2 bed terraced house. He is currently over £600 in credit on his account. At the new rate he will be unable to exist financially within a few months. Help!!!

With £600 PM if your dad hasn't got much savings he should look into getting pension credit.

As for the above fuel bill, with current tariffs just the standing charge is about £25PM for both fuels so don't take that as anywhere near normal.

whizzywoo

Rimkh2 said:

How do you keep your energy bills that low? I am very concerned about my 93 year old father. He lives on his own over 200 miles from nearest relatives. His only income is a state pension of £600.00 per month. He is with Edf and was paying £200 per month by direct debit. They have just called him and told him this will increase to £400 from 1st January. This is for a small 2 bed terraced house. He is currently over £600 in credit on his account. At the new rate he will be unable to exist financially within a few months. Help!!!

Sounds as if your Father would qualify for Pension Credit.  £150 per week income is well below the threshold for being eligible.   Even with several thousand pounds of savings he could still qualify. 

He's 93 years old.  Does he have any problems with looking after himself?  Things like getting washed and dressed, getting on and off the toilet, organising and taking any regular medication?

He doesn't actually need to be receiving any care to be able to claim Attendance Allowance.   If he did get it and lives on his own and no one receives Carer's Allowance for caring for him, any Pension Credit due would be even higher.  In addition to the actual Attendance Allowance. 

Have a read of this.
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit/

Put his details into a Benefits calculator to find out. 
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/benefits-calculator/

Information about claiming Attendance Allowance 
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/attendance-allowance/