Eon next energy fund won't consider me

knaresborogal1

Having read MSE piece on people eligible for 25 or 50% off their bills if on low income, I completed form, but it wouldn't let me submit it. After several emails then a phone call, I was told MSE had got it wrong, and I'm not eligible.  
I've been with eon for several years, have a smart meter, and am not in debt. However my husband just died, my income is now 1/3 of what it was,  but above benefit level and well under the 19k stated.  I queried how they knew my income was low if I couldn't submit evidence,  but they're not interested.
They say MSE has got it wrong and only people eligible for the Warm Homes discount are getting any help. Anyone else had this? Has MSE got it wrong or have eon forgotten to tell their staff new eligibility? 

elsien

Looking at the eOn website the criteria are very unclear. However, it does seem to be aimed at more at people already in debt because it talks about evidencing that you’ve had money advice from an FCA approved agency and also a commitment to paying something towards your current bill.

have you tried contacting Charis, the people who are running the scheme for them as they might be able to provide a little more clarity. 

However, I suspect that not being in debt is what is ruling you out because it appears not to be based just on low income alone. 

https://www.eonenergyfund.com/

MeteredOut

knaresborogal1 said:

Having read MSE piece on people eligible for 25 or 50% off their bills if on low income, I completed form, but it wouldn't let me submit it. After several emails then a phone call, I was told MSE had got it wrong, and I'm not eligible.  
I've been with eon for several years, have a smart meter, and am not in debt. However my husband just died, my income is now 1/3 of what it was,  but above benefit level and well under the 19k stated.  I queried how they knew my income was low if I couldn't submit evidence,  but they're not interested.
They say MSE has got it wrong and only people eligible for the Warm Homes discount are getting any help. Anyone else had this? Has MSE got it wrong or have eon forgotten to tell their staff new eligibility? 

Do you fit the criteria as defined on the EON website?

https://www.eonnext.com/blog/winter-affordability-support-scheme#:~:text=Who Is Eligible

I suspect you will need to. My condolences about your husband. If this has caused you financial stress, please do look about the other forums on MSE - there are a lot of people willing to spend a lot of time helping others overcome adversity.

Mobtr

Charis will only give you something towards your bill if you are in debt & can prove you are trying to clear it. They are not there just to give people money off their bills. 

So basically they will help you clear your debt only if you are trying to help yourself. If you’re not in debt, you won’t get anything. 

tifo

The ongoing energy fund is different to the winter 23/24 support scheme. You're mixing the two.

Spoonie_Turtle

The Winter Support tariff is a mess.  MSE were working on the information available from Eon, which at the time was indeed people with household incomes under £19,000 - and the blog STILL says that.  Later on in the blog it says income under the threshold AND if you have an income/expenditure deficit … which leads back to the question, how will they know if they don't let you submit evidence?

They have at least updated their T&Cs now to say the same as the blog post - but there are people who have been told they meet the criteria but they're not eligible.  (???)

OP I'm very sorry for your loss.  If you now have expenditure needs greater than your income them maybe it's worth pursuing, but if not then I'm afraid it's probably not worth the stress and hassle.


Just to check, have you checked benefit eligibility through a benefits calculator?
Also make sure you're claiming this if you're eligible https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment/eligibility (not means tested)

ArbitraryRandom

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Just to check, have you checked benefit eligibility through a benefits calculator?
Also make sure you're claiming this if you're eligible https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment/eligibility (not means tested)

I was just going to post exactly this. 

Very sorry to read of your loss OP, and filling out more forms is likely one of the things you least want to be doing - but even if you think you're above the benefits income threashold, it could be that you can access something that help you, and may even act as a 'passport' to more help down the line. 

I'd further suggest it's worth checking the grants section of the turn-to-us website, just in case there's something that can help: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support (you can enter details such as your past work and employment to see if there's a grant or scheme available).