Scottish power told me I should ask the benefits office to pay for my electricity from my benefits. The scheme is called, "Fuel Direct".

I'm pretty sure I'll have to change from the direct debit plan I am on first.

The weird thing is SP say on their website that they have a "Priority Services Register". On the phone it's a different story.

Anyone used the Direct Fuel scheme?

I'm on electric only (no mains gas) and I pay 66 per month direct debit. If I get on the scheme the benefits office will have to decide how much to pay out of 54 per week. If it's a fiver pw then I save 46 quid a month.

(My PC doesn't seem to have a "pounds" sign).

Hi dok,

Can't help you with Fuel Direct - but can help you with the pound sign...

Whilst holding down the alt key type 0163

Best wishes

Rae

Fuel direct payments cover the cost of the fuel used and something towards clearing any arrears.

The DWP don't set the amount taken for current use. Scottish Power will let them know how much they need to cover a year's worth of use based on previous bills. The DWP will then divide this by 52 to work out the weekly payment. If the amount Scottish Power ask for is higher than your benefit or would leave you little money to live on then the DWP will not agree to the deductions being made.

The DWP do have a limit to how much can be paid on a weekly basis for the arrears but I couldn't find anything that said what the maximum currently is. It's usually only a few pounds.

So if you have arrears and are paying quite a bit every month to clear these then it is likely that you will save money by changing to fuel direct but if your repayment level is low then you may not.

The only way it will help current fuel costs is if your supplier switches you to a lower tariff because you are paying by fuel direct.

Doktor John

I posted on the the sticky where you asked about this scheme. Do not take this option, you will lose control over how much you pay to Scottish Power.

Ask them about there social tariff, they do have one, so don't take no for an answer. The social tariff will save you money on the cost of your electric. If you can, you need to switch to another company, British Gas are the cheapest social tariff, there is a link in the sticky that I posted last night, take a look.

Yes I should ring them again because they ARE supposed to have a scheme.

She blatantly denied it on the phone before.

This world is nuts guys.

Thanks