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

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Comments

  • shellsuit
    shellsuit Posts: 24,749 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker

    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 :confused:
    Tank fly boss walk jam nitty gritty...
  • russetred
    russetred Posts: 1,334 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    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!
    "Sometimes life sucks....but the alternative is unacceptable."
  • Most of the benefits are listed when you phone them 0845 850 2207 or 01733 421021
  • elektra
    elektra Posts: 1,361 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Cashback Cashier
    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.
  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,056 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    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
    SwanJon Posts: 2,337 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    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
    elektra Posts: 1,361 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Cashback Cashier
    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
    Cardew Posts: 29,056 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    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
    Conor_3 Posts: 6,944 Forumite
    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.
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