Atlantic Electric 'Plus Care' For Disabled People

[::Lisa::]

Hi all,

If you are too lazy to read the 'detailed' part skip down to the bold red LAZY part

Atlantic Gas And Electricity have put up my electricity bill again. Quite frankly I cannot afford it so I phoned them up all worried asking if there is anything they can do to help me. I am disabled and have a stair lift which I need to use on a daily basis because of my disability. I do not work, my husband does not work. We have 3 children together, but they are in school all day and we do not have anything switched on in the day other than our laptop and the washing machine now and again when needed.

I was currently paying £44 in March pcm (which I couldn't afford then, so I changed every single lightbulb in the entire house with energy saving ones in the hope it would bring down the electricity. Making sure appliances were fully switched off at night etc), now it's gone up to £55pcm even after all my attempts.

I called them and he tried to bring it down to £40pcm which is what I said I could afford. My gas is absolutely fine and I'm in credit with that. He could not bring it down that far.

(LAZY) He said because of my disability and living off just benefits he would recommend me going on the "Plus Care" tariff. You get a lower amount per unit on it. But he did say that you only get it if you use 10% or more of your annual income on fuel bills. I asked him what my annual is but he gave me last years. I'm not happy about that because obviously last year was OK.

He said last yr I paid £480 in electric and £260 in gas, plus they would add on 15% because thats what its going up by. So with them taking last years charges into account maybe I should give them last years income then, yes? Would you do that? How would you do it? I'm confused. I want/need this. I really cannot afford their amounts. They also said they take ALL of my benefits into account except DLA which I think that means I will not quality for it

Any help welcomed on what to do.

[mree]

I can't advise on Atlantic's policy, but EDF have similar tariff called Energy Assist (15% discount), which is available to people in receipt of Income Support, Pension Credits and (I think) some Tax Credits, as well as those classed as 'fuel poor' - spend more than 15% of their net household income on energy bills.

[::Lisa::]

Originally Posted by mree

I can't advise on Atlantic's policy, but EDF have similar tariff called Energy Assist (15% discount), which is available to people in receipt of Income Support, Pension Credits and (I think) some Tax Credits, as well as those classed as 'fuel poor' - spend more than 15% of their net household income on energy bills.

Thanks for posting that. However, I do not spend over 10% (or 15%) of my income on energy bills. I would not be entitled to it. Why? Maybe I claim too many benefits?! *enter sarcasm for being penalised for that too lol*

Although, I still pay more than 'average joe' with a stair lift and electronic toilet and other means. I was thinking of even buying an electronic scooter to improve mobility however, I'm sat here worrying about the costs of the electricity rise in recharging it.

I thought energy companies might offer lower rates since they abolished the 'winter' electricity benefit from young people (only over 60's can apply!) It just seems silly that disabled people have to worry about affording their bills just to keep their mobility! *sigh*

[Mrs_Ryan]

Hi Lisa, my mum has an electric scooter (in fact she has 2!!!) and she says her bills havent risen that much when she is charging it. Hope that helps!! xx

[**Tamsin**]

I'm afraid Idont have any advice for you Lisa but Iwas looking aroundfor help regarding prices and such (Im really confused with the fuelcharges) and came across your post. I too am disabled, at home, and on benefits.My husband is my full time carer and I didnt know that one could get assistance if youe disabled. It seems so unfair when we have to be at home and thus using the power.

I had a massive bill from NPower (nearlly double what it would have been this time last year) eventhough we cut down on the amount of gas we used because of price rises....hence it was a bit nippy at times...

I'm sorry for the hijack but I didnt like the idea of just reading your post and then wandering off......