E-ON - Credit

Clarabell1985

Dear all, I am at my wits end with E-On and really would appreciate some advice. 

Basically my 77 old mother sold her house in April of this year. Did a final reading and submitted it to E-On. There was a huge discrepancy between the final reading and what they had down as estimated reading, this was because my mothers electric was disconnected due to being dangerous for about 7 years but she was dutifully still paying her bill. 

They sent a final bill and my mothers account was in credit for over 8k. They said a cheque would follow in 10 days. Didn’t come after a month. Chased. Said it had been sent to mothers old
address. Cancelled cheque and reissued. Phoned today and they disputed that the final bill they sent us was the final bill even though it has Your Final Bill on the document. They said no one would be in credit for that much. Thing is I can believe that it’s that much, due to mother using no electricity in the house for 7 years but still paying her bills. 

Please don’t hate me because my mother was in her house for so long without electricity. I tried and tried to get her out but she wouldn’t leave. Covid hit and then she moved in with me. She did have a gas fire on in the house as well. 

Just wanting some advice on where we stand, if the final bill was sent in error do we just accept or is there anything we can do to escalate. 

Thank you in advance for your help 😊

Brie

Only thing to do with some companies is to annoy them enough that the do something to get rid of you.  Call them daily if necessary (I know...who has the time).  Get an email address and email them for updates.  Post on their social media/face book etc.  Send them a letter through the post (standard snail mail, don't bother with registered just get a posting receipt from the post office).  Outline things very very simply and tell them they have x days to respond and send the cheque for the full amount.  Tell them that if they don't you will be going directly to the ombudsperson as they have already not responded in a responsible way after XX weeks.  

Sorry you have been struggling with mom...oldies are a challenge and can be so stubborn as well.  I've been there with moms on both sides of our family.

Not your question of course but I'm assuming you have a letter of authority from your mom to deal with everything on her behalf, that she's also getting attendance allowance as she obviously cannot look after herself without your assistance and that you might have also applied for carer's allowance if appropriate.  

Clarabell1985

Brie said:

Only thing to do with some companies is to annoy them enough that the do something to get rid of you.  Call them daily if necessary (I know...who has the time).  Get an email address and email them for updates.  Post on their social media/face book etc.  Send them a letter through the post (standard snail mail, don't bother with registered just get a posting receipt from the post office).  Outline things very very simply and tell them they have x days to respond and send the cheque for the full amount.  Tell them that if they don't you will be going directly to the ombudsperson as they have already not responded in a responsible way after XX weeks.  

Sorry you have been struggling with mom...oldies are a challenge and can be so stubborn as well.  I've been there with moms on both sides of our family.

Not your question of course but I'm assuming you have a letter of authority from your mom to deal with everything on her behalf, that she's also getting attendance allowance as she obviously cannot look after herself without your assistance and that you might have also applied for carer's allowance if appropriate.  

Thank you for the reply. I know the only thing to do is to badger them but I honestly feel like just forgetting about it. 

My mam has to speak to them every time I call to confirm she is happy that they can discuss her account with me. You would think they would keep a note in her file. 

What is attendance allowance I’ve not heard of that. No I don’t get carers allowance. 

QrizB

Just wanting some advice on where we stand, if the final bill was sent in error do we just accept or is there anything we can do to escalate.

If you have checked the calculations and are certain that the account really is £8k in credit, you shouldn't accept anything less.

I'd start with a formal complaint, with a view to escalating to the Ombudsman. And, if that fails, a Letter Before Claim and MCOL.

greyteam1959

@Clarabell1985
Attendance Allowance is money your Mum can claim from the government.
Around £350 per month.
https://www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance
The forms are around 80 pages long but it's well worth doing.
Carers Allowance is something that you (or your partner if they fit the criteria better) can claim from the government to assist in caring for your Mum.
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance
A tip with the cares allowance claim.
Every single thing counts towards the 35 hours.
Shopping/ gardening / cleaning/ dealing with her finances / telephone calls on her behalf etc etc.
Soon comes to 35 hours 😁😁