Energy Plus---Did you know this??May be useful if on low income!

[sweetnsexyenglish]

I am not sure if I am just the last to know but....While speaking to my energy provider last week they informed me due to my circumstances I may be eligible for reduced rates on gas and electric.

I gave them a call today and apparently its called Energy Plus and means that if you are on a low income and your energy consumption is more than 10% of your income you can get a reduced rate of 20%.

If you have a pre pay meter you can still qualify but your reduction will come in refunds each quarter and if you have a debt being collected this will go to clearing your debt!!

If I wasn't the last to know and there are more like me who were in the dark give your energy provider a call.

If you are with southern electric/gas the number is 0800 300 111

Might be a little but every little bit helps

[gni03349]

If I remember correctly, the govt. asked each of the energy providers to make provision for "fuel poverty", and for the people who simply couldn't afford to pay for their gas and electricity, due to being on benefits etc.

Of course it wasn't widely advertised, as the enerygy companies just want to make as much money as possible.

It's a case of... it's there, but you have to know about it to ask for it in the first place (a bit like all the benefits that are avilable, so long as you know, you can claim them!!!). I noticed a few threads that mentioned it before.

You might not be the last to know, but yer a bit behind lol (probably due to all the other fights you have at the moment. You'll be one of the experts people come to before long, with all the new knowledge you're getting ).

Regards etc...

[sweetnsexyenglish]

Originally Posted by gni03349

If I remember correctly, the govt. asked each of the energy providers to make provision for "fuel poverty", and for the people who simply couldn't afford to pay for their gas and electricity, due to being on benefits etc.

Of course it wasn't widely advertised, as the enerygy companies just want to make as much money as possible.

It's a case of... it's there, but you have to know about it to ask for it in the first place (a bit like all the benefits that are avilable, so long as you know, you can claim them!!!). I noticed a few threads that mentioned it before.

You might not be the last to know, but yer a bit behind lol (probably due to all the other fights you have at the moment. You'll be one of the experts people come to before long, with all the new knowledge you're getting ).

Regards etc...

too right the amount I am learning lol is amazing....I dont know if its just benefits though, I know he said low income and if your consumption is higher than 10% of your income as it is means tested.

[linnikins]

does this apply to buisiness or domestic, as i am really struggling to keep my business going and have been threatened with having my electricity cut off as i cant afford to pay off the outstanding bill at the amounts they want(british gas),I live above my premises so this would also cut off my domestic use and would close my business down!

[gni03349]

Domestic.. a business is deemed as a profit making enterprise... no such help for you there I'm afraid. Having said that, are you self-employed, or a limited company?

[sweetnsexyenglish]

Originally Posted by linnikins

does this apply to buisiness or domestic, as i am really struggling to keep my business going and have been threatened with having my electricity cut off as i cant afford to pay off the outstanding bill at the amounts they want(british gas),I live above my premises so this would also cut off my domestic use and would close my business down!

Why would anybody use british gas as a supplier?? I have been in my home 3 yrs, british gas was the provider but I organised before moving in this be changed, the last bill from them came to dear occupant and for the last 3 yrs they keep sending someone with the hope of trying to persuade me to come back yea right, I wont even tell them my name, and make a point to tell them from you work for bg and have a bg name tag DO NOT KNOCK MY DOOR I AM UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO EVEN GIVE YOU MY NAME!!

[vandermerwe]

Hi folks

Have tried to find something about Energy plus concerning gas from E-On.

Was referred to their website which as far as I can see only carries a brief mention of electricity.

Terrible website, incidentally.

Vandermerwe

[Dollydoo]

Can you get help with water charges as well?

[Dollydoo]

I've been on to E.On and apparently they don't offer any reduction in rates. just payment plans! When I said other companies offer reductions for low incomes/benefits etc I was told "well we don't, somethings in the pipeline but thats it at the moment". As for British Gas, I've been trying them all day, but the call cuts off after they tell you they're receiving high volume of calls.....I wonder why?!

[Dollydoo]

Finally got thru to BG and after a couple of questions, all done! I'll get my discount from now - though I did forget to ask how much, still shall wait n see - something is better than nothing

[forgottenone]

I'd be interested too ... tried this with Scottish Power ... they also said 'well we don't.'

[pugsley]

I'm on these low tariff's for british gas and EDF energy, only took a phone call to arrange

btw I rang B gas last week to check that I would not be given a price hike and found out I had been taken off the deal by mistake, I'm waiting to here of my refund. The promised phone call to me didn't happen so will be chasing it up today. After my refund I think I will go with EDF energy for gas as well, they offer 15% off, B Gas are totally useless and have really caused me grief over the years.


redit rang up and complained and they are giving me £15 for my trouble and sending me the refund hopefully, will have to check all the amounts and dates though as they haven't a clue what they are doing

essentials tariff for me is
4.192 tier one
2.314 tier two

I think recently I was paying 7.0 or similar


Apparently the deal is for life, I do not need to prove my income (or any year) every year, which is a bit strange really and open to abuse

What are you doing to help customer in need of financial support?

If you are on the Essentials tariff you won't see a rise until after winter. 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 our more vulnerable customers, particularly those who use prepayment meters, by ensuring they pay no more than our lowest standard 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 for Essentials providing that they are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

In addition the British Gas Trust could provide a grant to a customer who has a British Gas energy debt (and also, in some cases, for other costs or outstanding debts). The Trust, established in 2004, also finances debt advisors to explain to individuals how to escape debt cycles and manage their finances. The Trust is run independently of British Gas and is a registered charity. Customers who wish to apply to the Trust can request an application form by calling the Trust directly on 01733 421060 or tell the customer to visit the Trust website at Welcome | British Gas Energy Trust and Scottish Gas Energy Trust

How British Gas can help you

[389shell]

Hi

For EDF customers, the reduced rate is called ENERGY ASSIST, just phone up and ask for it.

If you are in dire straits, then EDF also have the Energy Trust, you can apply to have all your arrears written off. For this you just need to phone 01733 421060, I'm not sure but it seems to be means tested, but will update when I hear back from this. It is the same number for British Gas and a number of other companies, it is fully automated, you just leave your name and address so it is well worth a try.

[kennythecelt]

For Scottish Power Customers

Try this

Scottish Power: Soaring Coal and Gas Costs Force ScottishPower to Announce New Energy Prices

"To protect its most vulnerable customers ScottishPower has announced a package of support measures:

• Carefree Winter Rebate4: For customers on its Carefree Priority Services Register, which includes the company’s most vulnerable customers, ScottishPower will offset the impact of the increase over the winter months. This will take the form of a credit to these customers’ accounts, which will be applied from February 2008.
• New Social Tariff5: In addition to the winter rebate, eligible customers on ScottishPower’s Priority Services Register can apply for ScottishPower’s new Carefree Plus social tariff. This package will offer eligible customers, a saving of up to £112 per annum. These customers will also have the opportunity to access free energy efficiency improvements (such as cavity wall insulation) and a Benefits Health Check to ensure they are receiving all of the income to which they are entitled. Current estimates from National Statistics suggest that up to c. £9.4bn of benefits go unclaimed each year by eligible households6.

[kennythecelt]

From Eon

E.ON UK - Helping older and vulnerable customers

Staywarm is not a social tariff and my understanding is that Eon are under pressure to implement a true social tariff similar to others above.

Shame on you E-on!!