Energy supplier assistance
Energy Supplier Assistance
Energy Supplier Assistance
This page of the EPCs in Gateshead website gives information on Energy Supplier Assistanceavailable for people who have disabilities and/ or are struggling to pay their fuel bills due to low income related to age, disability or illness. The first section is about the priority services register that the major energy suppliers are required to establish and maintain. The second section is about social tariffs and lists the relevant website links on this for the six major energy suppliers.Finally there is a link to a short video produced by OFGEM and the Citizens Advice Bureau entitled 'Avoiding debt and disconnection'.
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1) Priority Services Register
People who are of pensionable age, disabled, suffering from a chronic illness or have a hearing or sight impairment can request to be added to the Priority Services Register of their gas and electricity suppliers to enable them to benefit from a range of special services and possibly qualify for their social tariff. The Priority Services Register is available from all the major electricity and gas suppliers and depending on personal circumstances can currently offer:
● Free annual gas safety check, subject to some conditions.
● Password scheme whereby anyone calling at your home on behalf of the supplier will use the password to prove who they are.
● Bills provided in a suitable format e.g. in large print, Braille, other languages, textphone or typetalk.
● Free quarterly meter reading if you are unable to read your own meter.
● Prepayment Meters moved to a more accessible location if practical to do so.
● Controls and adapters for appliances.
● Bill nominee scheme where bills can be sent to a friend, relative or carer so they help check it on your behalf.
● Special help if a gas supply is disrupted if all adults living in the property are eligible for the Priority Services Register.
● Advance notice if the electricity supply has to be disrupted.
Please see section 3 below for the website addresses for the related information on the Priority Register and Social Tariffs for the six major energy supply companies
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2) Social Tariffs
A Social Tariff is often the cheapest deal available from an energy supplier. It is offered by the energy companies to people on certain disability allowances, benefits or tax credits and who are struggling to pay their fuel bill.
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3) Relevant supplier website links
The following are the relevant website links for the six major energy suppliers regarding their Priority Services Register and Social Tariffs with a short summary of what they can offer:
● British Gas Essentials Combined. This is aimed at vulnerable and low income consumers and provides a package including paying for their energy at an equivalent of the lowest on line tariff as well as offering offering energy efficiency advice and a benefits check.Telephone number for more information is 0800 072 5230.
● EoN Warm assist. E.ON WarmAssist offers their most vulnerable existing customers a 15% discount on their standard (E.ON EnergyPlan) gas and electricity prices. Telephone number for more information is 0800 404 6287.
● N Power Spreading Warmth. This is N Powers social tariff, it is the cheapest of all their tariffs and offers savings compared to their standard prices of over 20%. Telephone number for more information is 0808 172 6999.
● Scottish Power Fresh Start social tariff. The weblink is presently not available, Telephone number given for more information is 0845 2700 700.
● Atlantic (Scottish & Southern) Careline. Link to the Atlantic Electric & Gas (Scottish & Southern) Priority Services Register. Also Payment plan for vulnerable customers that gives various levels of rebate or access to the Energyplus care social tariff depending on the percentage of household income being spent on fuel. Telephone number for the Priority Services Team is 0800 622 838.
● EDF Safe Warm & Well/ Energy Assist . Link to the EDF Priority Services Team. The Energy Assist tariff is the same as for direct debit customers plus there is an additional annual discount for dual fuel customers. Telephone number for the Priority Services Team is 0800 068 8251.
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4) Video on avoiding debt and disconnection
Please also click here for the link to a short video prepared by OFGEM and the Citizens advice bureau entitled 'Avoiding debt and disconnection'.
Note! Information on this webpage is with thanks to National Energy Action and the Fuel Rights Handbook published by Child Poverty Action.
