British Gas "Essential Tariff" discounts for folk on benefits...

harveybobbles

Anyone actually aware of this for people on certain benefits...?

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/about-british-gas/what's-important-to-us/customer-commitment/essential.html

shellsuit

harveybobbles wrote: »

Anyone actually aware of this for people on certain benefits...?

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/about-british-gas/what's-important-to-us/customer-commitment/essential.html

I'd never heard of it until I got a letter from BG yesterday telling me I was already on it.

I'm on a top on meter, so I'm not sure if everyone on one is automatically put on this

russetred

I think you're going to have to email them about who qualifies .I can't see diddly squat on what benefits are required but I bet you they arn't mine!

harveybobbles

Most of the benefits are listed when you phone them 0845 850 2207 or 01733 421021

elektra

I emailed them a couple of weeks ago asking for prices as not displayed on prices. Already on tariff but I wanted to know prices as not sure when going up ( I read somewhere not until end of winter).

Anyway they never sent me prices but they did send this which might help someone. Pension credit is an example of eligible benefit.

I'm sorry we don’t have this tariff displayed on our website. We launched the Essentials tariff, Britain’s largest social energy tariff, for 750,000 of our most vulnerable customers at the start of last year. Essentials provides additional help to vulnerable customers, particularly those who use prepayment meters, by offering them access to our lowest standard direct debit tariff prices, irrespective of their method of payment.

To be eligible for the tariff, you need to be an existing British Gas customer in receipt of one of a number of benefits. Direct debit customers are now eligible to essentials providing that they are in receipt of the qualifying benefits. The Essentials tariff replaced the Winter Rebate scheme.

PAYGE customers who are registered for the Essentials Tariff before 4th January 2008 will receive a quarterly payment towards their energy, which will act as a discount against their meter’s tariff so that they will pay the equivalent of monthly direct debit customers. The amount of the payment Essential Tariff customers receive will be based on the industry average for annual consumption. The amount may vary each quarter. Customers will receive this information in the confirmation letter they will receive when they have signed up for the Essentials Tariff, and should keep hold of this letter for reference.
Where possible, gas PAYGE customers will receive their quarterly payments directly to their meter. This payment will be picked up during the month the payments are made when the customer buys credit for gas. If for some reason the customer doesn’t receive their payment on their meter, they will automatically be sent a manual payment in the form of a cheque or a postal order.
Electricity PAYGE customers with a key meter will receive their payment to their meter where possible. If for some reason the customers can’t receive their payment on their meter, they will be sent a manual payment in the form of a cheque or a postal order and this will happen automatically. Electricity prepayment customers who have a token or smart card meter will receive their payment as a cheque or postal order. Customers will be told this in the letter sent to them to confirm they have successfully been registered for the Essentials Tariff.
Important – from 1 March 2008, Essentials tariff customers will have the tariff rates applied to their meter and will therefore be charged at the lowest standard tariff. Customers will no longer receive a quarterly rebate. . If you wish to know more about this tariff rate, please call us on 0845 850 2207* and one of our advisors will be happy to help you.

I also find it frustrating that none of the comparison sites include this tariff as it still may be cheaper to go elsewhere. I've emailed again asking for prices. If they reply I'll post here.

elektra

also found this

http://www.energychoices.co.uk/british-gas-announces-winter-warmer-initiative.html

Cardew

I note that this scheme is only for EXISTING BG customers.

For anyone moving to BG, I wonder how long(after the move) it will be before they qualify for the discounts and incentives?

SwanJon

The discount is equivelant to the monthly DD price, so you could use that as a comparison.

As it is for vulnerable customers, they are not offering it as a selling tool. If you think you might qualify, why not call on the geographical number and see.
Then you can make an informed descison

elektra

These are the benefits that qualify :-

Disability Living Allowance
Pension Credit
Attendance Allowance
War disablement pension which includes either a mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance
Disablement Pension which includes constant attendance allowance
Child Tax Credit where the relevant income is £14,600 or less
Working Tax Credit where the relevant income is £14,600 or less
Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit
Carers Allowance
Severe Disablement Allowance
Income Support
Income-Based Jobseekers Allowance


The prices they gave me seem nonsense - they don't match the last bill or last bill plus 15%. i.e higher than 15% increase. So I am none the wiser re prices and whether worth switching.


quoted prices inc vat
For gas: tier 1(pence per kWh) 4.402 tier 2 (pence per kWh) 2.403


I'll give the email branch of customer services their due , they do usually reply within a few days albeit not always with correct info.

Cardew

elektra wrote: »

The prices they gave me seem nonsense - they don't match the last bill or last bill plus 15%. i.e higher than 15% increase. So I am none the wiser re prices and whether worth switching.

I understood, but readily admit I may be wrong, that the purpose was to enable pre-pay customers to get the same rates as those paying by Direct Debit.

It is not the intent to provide a discount for those already paying by Direct Debit????

Conor_3

That's the way I read it too, Cardew - it's to give those who are being screwed by slot meter a fighting chance. TBH, I think the energy suppliers hate slot meters as much as we do on MSE.