Q&A with our Energy Support Officers on energy costs this winter

admin 1 year ago

Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for joining us this afternoon. Our Energy Support Officers Wendy and Rachel are here with us today to answer any questions you may have on energy costs this winter.

If there’s anything you would like to ask, please feel free to post below.

Thank you for the questions that are already coming through 💛

Wendy ESO 1 year ago

Hi @Brigette. Thank you for your question. Energy bills do have a lot of information on them but taking time to understand them will help to keep you more in control of your account. This could include things like ensuring a meter reading you have provided is used by your supplier to bill you, also if you have a smart meter, check if these readings are being used to calculate your usage. checking the amount of your direct debit is reflective of the energy you use each month is also good to ensure you are not under or over paying. It is also good to make sure you are using your annual consumption ( usage) if you may want to switch.

RachelESO 1 year ago

Edited by RachelESO 1 year ago

Thank you for your question Hannah.

There are some grants from suppliers to help with energy debts and you should always speak with your supplier if you are struggling as they can support you with options.

Ensure you give up to date readings to your supplier to make sure your billed for what you have used. Although there are no specific deals for those with terminal illness, if you are in receipt of certain benefits, you may be able to apply for social tariffs for water, broadband and mobile bills, reducing these may mean you have more money to use on energy bills. There is also support if you have an oxygen concentrator at home and benefits you may be eligible for if you don't get these already. You can find out more on our webpage here

RachelESO 1 year ago

Edited by RachelESO 1 year ago

Thank you for your question and joining us today @Rhibubs, I'm sorry to read that your neighbor is terminally ill. What a great question, your neighbor may want to look into any heat loss from the homes, things such as drafts or lack of insulation can mean heat is escaping from the property and making it colder. You neighbor can speak to their supplier to see if they can offer any help through the ECO 4 scheme or perhaps the local council as some have schemes and grants that may be able to support them if this is needed.

Although there are no direct schemes for those with a terminal illness your neighbor could speak to their supplier to check they are paying the right amount, they may also be able to get grants to help with energy debt if they have any or other grants to help financially, the turn2us website here lets you search for grants based on your circumstances.

Wendy ESO 1 year ago

Edited by admin 1 year ago

Hi @Rhibubs. You could also let your neighbor know about the Priority Services Register. You can join the priority services register if you have a serious or long-term health condition, are of pensionable age, need additional support even for a temporary period, live with children under 5, are dependent on medical equipment, have sight, hearing, speech or mobility difficulties or if you cannot communicate in English.

You can access different free services dependent on your circumstances, these include things such as access to alternative heating or cooking services or bottled water in the event of a supply disruption, bills being sent in different formats to suit your communication needs, such as other languages or braille and the ability to nominate someone to deal with these for you, also password schemes so you can ensure callers are from the utility company.

You can join by calling your energy and water supplier or online at: thepsr.co.uk

The Customer Care Register is the Northern Ireland equivalent of the Priority Services Register. It means you can get extra support if:

you're of state pension age or

you have a disability – for example, being blind, partially sighted, deaf or have hearing loss or

you're chronically sick, including living with a terminal illness.

Being on the Customer Care Register means your details are a priority for your energy company. For example, you'll be contacted ahead of time about planned energy outages (if energy will be switched off for a period of time).

There is also a Medical Customer Care Register. This Register is for people who rely on electricity for their healthcare needs – for example, for equipment.

Your could also maybe check that your neighbor has maybe a heat pillow or hot water bottle to ensure they are warmer whilst sitting.

We do have some very handy information on our website that you may be able to pass on to your neighbor or look at with them. It gives lots of tips on support that may be available to help with energy bills: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/benefits-entitlements/other-financial-matters/energy-bills 

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