1 down 2 to go !

jojopo000

Richard_S wrote: »

Hi gina,

Is the £120 per month the cost of the meters plus a payment towards the arrears?

Richard

Hi Richard,
She won't have to pay for the pre-payment meters, but the costs of warrants etc will be added onto her debt.
Sorry for butting in, am just trying to give some advice back about something I actualy know a small part about.

Richard_S

Hi jojo,

It's not butting in at all, it's called "brain storming".;)

One of the girls I work with is a single Mum, on a limited income, and she was having problems with arrears to EDF. They wanted unrealistic amounts as a contribution to arrears, and she was getting absolutely nowhere with them.

I put together an I&E Budget for her and wrote an accompanying letter offering a monthly payment off the arrears, that she could comfortably afford. Needless to say they wrangled about the amount and tried to increase it, but she "stuck to her guns," and they accepted.

I can't remember the exact figure but it was definitely a lot less than £50pcm.

All I can suggest is something similar.

Richard

jojopo000

Richard_S wrote: »

Hi jojo,

It's not butting in at all, it's called "brain storming".;)

One of the girls I work with is a single Mum, on a limited income, and she was having problems with arrears to EDF. They wanted unrealistic amounts as a contribution to arrears, and she was getting absolutely nowhere with them.

I put together an I&E Budget for her and wrote an accompanying letter offering a monthly payment off the arrears, that she could comfortably afford. Needless to say they wrangled about the amount and tried to increase it, but she "stuck to her guns," and they accepted.

I can't remember the exact figure but it was definitely a lot less than £50pcm.

All I can suggest is something similar.

Richard

I also know that some of the energy suppliers (the one I work for does) have a scheme to help people with arrears if they fit a set citereria, think theirs is done through CAB.
Have found the link to one of the available schemes. CAB should know about others. http://www.edfenergy.com/edf-energy/showPage.do?name=homeenergy.payingBill.energyTrust.til

The I&E and letter is a good idea, but maybe faxing it might be of a idea as time is short.
Jojopo

Richard_S

Hi gina,

There's a couple of ideas since you were on line last. Have you got a detailed I&E Budget? We can help you put one together and a suggestion for an accompanying letter.

Regards

Richard

ginalove

hello the £120 is just to cover the arrears. i have .e mailed the C.A.B. as jo jo suggested. we have not done a recent i/e sheet because i was unsure how much gas/elec we need to pay also i need to havea recalculation of our tax credits i know they will decrease somewhat but they are the only thing keeping our head above water at the mo! i really have got us into a right royal pickle thanks for support gx

Richard_S

Hi gina,

I'm convinced that figure can be negotaited downwards to a figure that you can comfortably afford. Have you got contact numbers at the utilitiy companies that you can talk to, if the CAB can't see you before Tuesday?

I can estimate your gas & electricity useage reasonably accurately if you can give some more info:

• How many adults & children?
• Approximate age of children, i.e. babies, toddlers, juniors, teens?
• Is the house double glazed?
• Cavity wall insulation?
• Approximate age of central heating boiler?

The beauty about being in a pickle is how good it feels when you get out.:D

Richard

ginalove

hi richard, there are 2 adults 3 children 8, 7, 4, our boiler is nearly 5 years old this is an old property 1893 , central heating partial double glazing (some secondary) , the loft is insulated we have a gas fire in middle room (no radiator). i have pleaded with gas/elec but they insist that is the best they can do. 'speak' soon g :A