Need Some Help with Energy Bills
Posted on 19th May 2020 at 09:45 ( Last updated on 19th May 2020 at 09:46 )
Needing Some Help With Your Energy Bills?
Spending a lot of time at home due to the Coronavirus can drive your energy bills up. Also, if you or anyone in your home has any underlying health conditions, you should also contact your energy supplier to let them know. They will add you to the Priority Service Register, which will give you extra support should you need it.
Prepay Meters and Self Isolation/Shielding
Self-isolating/Sheilding can be a problem if you have a pre-payment meter, which requires you to go to the shop to top-up. If you are unable to go to the shop to top up ie if self-isolating/sheilding, you should contact your energy company to advise them. Different energy suppliers have different ways of dealing with this.
Smart Meter Top up you can do this online using the usual process. If you are struggling financially contact your energy supplier as they may be able to top up your meter if it is an emergency situation.
Electricity key or gas card top up you can pay your supplier directly by phone and they will then send a special code to a pay-point near to you. This code can then be picked up by family or friends. If you don’t have anyone who can do this for you, your supplier may be able to send a key or card to your home that will allow you to top up.
General tips if you are not self-isolating, it’s a good idea to keep topping your meter up with extra money whenever you can to build up plenty of credit in case you have to self-isolate at a later date.
Energy Advice For Billed Customers Affected By Covid-19 (Coronavirus)
If you are having difficulty paying bills or keeping up with Direct Debit payments, you should call your energy supplier as soon as possible to see what assistance may be available.
Energy suppliers are keen to identify households that have vulnerable people so they can add the household to the Priority Service Register and offer support. This is particularly important if you are at risk of being cut off from your energy supply.
If you are experiencing difficulties with your energy supply, do not ignore this and get in touch with your supplier as soon as possible. The earlier you get in touch the easier it is for the supplier to offer support, and it may prevent any emergency measures being carried out.
For energy saving tips from Energy Action Scotland click here
For more information and help, please contact our Income Maximisation Officer, Tracy Doran Tel 01786 431921.