Written by John Kruse, one of the leading experts on Bailiff Law, this consumer friendly guide is essential reading for anyone who comes into contact with a bailiff.
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Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
A very usefull post Simon
Has anyone else tried this, if so, I'll make it a 'sticky'
Lex
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Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
I have just had my first electricity bill since I switched it is for the last 3 months. This time last year with EDF I was charged £323 for this 3 month period. With British Gas on their Essentials tariff for the sam quarter and having used the same amount of electric within 15kwh (talk about consistency) my bill has come in at £234.
That is £89 cheaper, just for switching! The overall effect is EDF were charging me £95 a month, British Gas £74 and looking at the figures that is going to be too much, as £74 has matched our usage during the heaviest quarter.
If you are not on a social tariff, at least check it out! To give you an idea, we have all electric storage heating, so it heats up over night. Have a look at your night rate per unit price. I pay 2.479p now for my night usage. That in itself is 60% cheaper than the EDF Essentials Social Tariff.
Sorry to harp on and bore you all to tears but if you are on benefits, your money is usually tight, so why not shop around for the best gas or electric deals, you can save a fortune, I am £21 a month better off already.
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
Here's a question;
How many of you on here, that are on benefits or low incomes are actually on or know about Social Tariffs for utility companies? Answers underneath please
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
A lot more will now Simon, I'm going to 'Stick' this thread.
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Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
Originally Posted by mkb
I know about them but cant have one because EON dont have such a tariff
Coupled with being on pre-payment meter, I think I'm shafted whichever way I turn
MKB have you rung them to ask? The big six are all supposed to have social tariffs available, they probably don't advertise it if they do.
If not switch your supplier, just because you have a prepayment meter does not mean you can't have a social tariff. Some of the electric and gas companies work it slightly differently. Instead of you paying less, they give you free amounts to use during the winter, this is automatically added at the point of sale, so when you charge your key/card.
Don't be put off just because you are on a prepayment meter, it doesn't stop you!
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
Originally Posted by mkb
We have pre-payment meters cos we got into arrears so cant change supplier.
I asked EON about social tariffs and they said that they dont have them yet but hope to in the future
This is unfortunately where the energy companies have people over a barrel, they won't let you switch when you owe them money.
What you could do is apply to one of the trust funds for a grant to help you with your arrears, it does work. I went through the EDF Energy Trust, you do not have to be an EDF customer, so you could apply to them. I never expected to get anything and they credited my electricity account with £554. You could also google utility trust funds or energy trust funds and see what other ones are available.
The form is quite intrusive into your finances but then you are asking for financial help, so I think it is only fair. Let me know how you get on and if you need any help or anything and if I can I will.
This has to be something of a first............. A LFC supporter trying to help a MUFC supporter
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
Originally Posted by Simon7685
This is unfortunately where the energy companies have people over a barrel, they won't let you switch when you owe them money.
What you could do is apply to one of the trust funds for a grant to help you with your arrears, it does work. I went through the EDF Energy Trust, you do not have to be an EDF customer, so you could apply to them. I never expected to get anything and they credited my electricity account with £554. You could also google utility trust funds or energy trust funds and see what other ones are available.
The form is quite intrusive into your finances but then you are asking for financial help, so I think it is only fair. Let me know how you get on and if you need any help or anything and if I can I will.
That is a very good idea and i will defo look into it, thank you.
This has to be something of a first............. A LFC supporter trying to help a MUFC supporter
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
This has to be something of a first............. A LFC supporter trying to help a MUFC supporter
At the end of the day, we are consumers helping consumers, well done guys
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Advice & opinions given by me are personal, are not endorsed by the Consumer Action Group or the Bank Action Group. Should you be in any doubt, you are advised to seek the opinion of a qualified professional.
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
I'd just like to point out that a social energy tariff my not be the cheapest available.
The cheapest tend to be online managed only accounts, coupled with payment by direct debt.
You can also gain extra cash back when changing supplier by going through some switching/comparison sites and also quidco and topcashback.
Always read and follow to the letter the conditions to get the cash back and also be wary of terms of the energy companies contracts for leaving penalties, minimum contract lenght and automatic renewal of terms when the deal ends.
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
I called British Gas and Scottish Power to ask why my bills were so high. I went from £8 a week electricity to £20 and gas from around the same amount. Told them I was on benefit and 60% of my income was going on heating and electricity and asked them about this social tarrif and they both told me that they no longer do it, and if they did, I wouldn't qualify for it anyway, as I'm under 60. Since then, I've struggled really badly to keep my house warm, especially through the winter, and owe family and friends a hell of a lot of money I had to borrow to pay for gas and electricity.
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
Skonk
I have just been on the British Gas website, they do still offer a social tariff, it is called the Essentials Tariff. There are 3 different support packages depending on your circumstances and freephone numbers for each. I just searched for Essentials tariff on their website.
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
Re the Home Access Programme
It definately works, my daughter got her new laptop about 3 weeks ago. It is worth looking at the online suppliers that you get the details of from Home Access. You get a much better deal, I got a far better laptop than Comet offered, it came with loads of extras and a FREE printer to boot. I odered it on Thursday at 2pm online, it arrived at 10.30am the next morning!!!
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
Thanks Simon, I'll look into that!
Mr Lex, yes, I know Dean Road well! I went to Brae Street infants as a kid in the 70's. Friend of mine still lives in Brae Street. Great days, but these days, it's not a nice place to live, I'm afraid.
Re: For all those struggling on IS,IB,ESA & other means tested benefits
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WON / 19 November 2007
Originally Posted by mkb
