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There can be many reasons why a householder can
get into fuel debt with their energy supplier.
Agreed payments made weekly or monthly maybe too low for the
amount of energy used.
The home may not be adequately insulated and much of the heat is
escaping, therefore bills are higher to keep the temperature
consistent.
The estimated meter reading may not be accurate and not cover
the actual amount of energy supplied
In debt with fuel bills?
The first thing to do is contact your energy supplier to let
them know you are having difficulty paying your bill. It would help
if you could give an idea of how much you can afford to repay, and
then you can discuss with them and agree how you will repay the
debt. There are different ways of dealing with fuel debt please see
table overleaf.
Some Energy Suppliers have trust funds with millions of pounds
available to clear individual's and families fuel debt.
EDF Energy (SWEB)
This trust
fund is managed in this area by The Bristol Debt Advice Centre and
they will provide assistance to complete application forms, to
clear existing debt they will then help you to plan and budget for
your next energy bill. For further information please contact
www.bdac.org.uk Heather Allan
0117 954 3544
British Gas
The British Gas Energy Trust
provides grants to help individuals and families in need to meet
arrears of energy charges. Helen Mcleod Trust Relationship Manager
01733 421021
www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk
N power
www.spreading-warmth@npower.com
Tel 0808 1726999
Powergen
www.caring.energy@powergen.co.uk
Tel 0800 052 0346
Bristol Water/Wessex Water
The
Bristol/Wessex Water Company have an in house debt write of scheme
called Restart. The scheme is used for genuine 'can't pay and
struggling' customers. Designed to encourage better money
management through an agreed payment plan.
www.wessexwater.co.uk
www.bristolwater.co.uk
Tel 01225 524311
Citizen Advice Bureau
The Citizen Advice
Bureau in Wadham Street, Weston Super Mare may also give advice on
paying household debt. They have a drop-in session between 10.00am
& 3.00pm every weekday, except Thursday, when there is a
telephone advice line available 0870 121017/email:
advice@nscab.org.uk
To maximise your income and therefore have more money available
to pay your fuel bills, you could check to see if you are claiming
all the benefits you are entitled to.
Fuel Switching
If you think you are paying
too much for your fuel bills you may benefit from switching
supplier. The following web sites & telephone numbers may be
useful
www.energywatch.org.uk
Tel 0845 06 07 08
www.uswitch.co.uk Tel 0845
601 2856
www.simplyswitch.com Tel
08000 111 395
Priority Services Register
There are free
services available for gas and electricity customers across the UK.
If you are a domestic customer and one or more of the following
applies to you:
Pensionable age
Have a disability
Have long term ill health
Are blind or visually impaired
You will qualify for the register, every gas and electricity
supplier has a register, to join contact your own energy supplier
or ring 0845 906 0708 |