Fuel Poverty

fisherrees

Had some advice training in work a couple of weeks ago from Energywatch (which is being done away with later this year). They have experts who give independent advice about cheapest suppliers of gas and electricity and know a lot about the individual suppliers. I did not realise, and I haven't seen it in any emails, that if you are in the fuel poverty class, i.e. spend 10% or more of your income on fuel and have difficulty with this, some suppliers have a special "social tariff" which is much cheaper than any of the normal rates. They obviously do not advertise this, but it must be invaluable to many people who are on benefits - if they only know. The lady from Energywatch said you have to ask the supplier directly if they have a cheaper tariff or social tariff. If anyone wants more details, contact Energywatch.

Energywatch is to be merged with Consumer Direct later this year, so if the Energywatch staff are made redundant all this expertise will be lost and no one will be able to take advantage of these schemes.

Poppycat

I spoke to them 3-4 weeks ago I was asked

What tariff was I on, duel fuel online energy saver 2. Then put me through to SP and they said they let me know, no one has still on online saver 2

In fact its no special tariff most people can sign up for it. I also have a priority thing where they come and service boiler every year, my daughter has health problems

Santa_Claus_2008

Poppycat wrote: »

I spoke to them 3-4 weeks ago I was asked

What tariff was I on, duel fuel online energy saver 2. Then put me through to SP and they said they let me know, no one has still on online saver 2

In fact its no special tariff most people can sign up for it. I also have a priority thing where they come and service boiler every year, my daughter has health problems

Hi hope you don't mind my asking but which company are you with...I am with ebico/southern electric so would be interested to know if they do this tariff as I am disabled...thanks...:D

Poppycat

I'm with Scottish Power the tariff isnt a special one just there cheapest apparently

The only concession we are meant to be getting is annual boiler service, although I believe there are other concession for disabled people but unfortunately no discounts

Ken68

These people might be able to help, Santa.


http://www.southern-electric.co.uk/Help/ForYourHome/HelpForTheElderly/Careline.aspx

fisherrees

The free safety checks and passwords and priority service are a different thing altogether. You are right in saying this is available to anyone who is vulnerable or has a vulnerabl person in the house. What I am talking about is totally different. It is a special tariff for the poorest of people who spend at least 10% of their income on fuel. I only heard about thius in training just before Christmas, so I haven't had the need to follow it up for anyone yet. The lady that did our training said some of the suppliers have this special rate, SWALEC being one. Of course, the companies don't advertise the fact and I wouldn't be surprised if most of their call centre staff don't know about it. However, Energywatch take up cases for people and have had success in getting people onto it. If you think you come into this qualifying category, I suggest you ring Energywatch yourself. I don't know if there are different offices in each region. Our local one in Cardiff is 0845 9060708. As I said you have to be having difficulty paying your bills and spend at least 10% of your income on fuel to qualify.

Poppycat

Thanks but not all utility companies have special rates, Scottish Power being one of them

Its a shame that Labour dont scrap or cut down on VAT for those groups either. The tax on fuel was only there in the first place if my memory serves me right due to the scrapping of the poll tax, and what we have seen over the last 10 years is over 100% increase in council tax, so who is the fool, we are unfortunately of putting up with it.

My disabled daughter suffers greatly with the cold, and has poor circulation if she was 60 she would be able to get help instead we have to keep the house warm for her, I dont get any help whatsoever at mo sadly.

It would just be nice if the government recognized that there are many people below 60 that also need help. Instead the vulnerable in society suffer and this present government should be ashamed of themselves for doing little, instead the rich in society has prospered very much under Labour, and some of the very rich pay little tax at all and swan of to some far flung place when it suits them.

SwanJon

British Gas has the essentials tariff, which isn't much cheaper than normal rates, but it does offer you the same as the monthly DD discount not matter how you pay.
Still better off on an online tariff paying by DD if you can do it.

Santa_Claus_2008

SwanJon wrote: »

British Gas has the essentials tariff, which isn't much cheaper than normal rates, but it does offer you the same as the monthly DD discount not matter how you pay.
Still better off on an online tariff paying by DD if you can do it.

my mum was on something like this to do with age concern and she never had high bills and the heating was on all day...so a big hand to BG for that...but you had to be over 60 to get it...:D