I don't know if everyone knows about this so am blogging it just in case. You can get a reduction on your utility bills

on the grounds of illness or low income. I only came across it by chance. I am with British Gas (but am sure all the big companies do it) and am now on a different tariff. I only save about 30 pounds per year but its well worth it.

[HuwieHex]

It is very limited in scope and each Company uses different criteria.

[Jo_BLFHelpline British Lung Foundation]

Hi Hypercat

Fantastic news about the tariff! Thank you for letting everyone know!

All of the utility companies work differently - British Gas for example has a charity arm -

britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/ - they may be able to help if a person has fuel arrears (amongst other things).

Asking your provider for a social or discounted tariff can be really beneficial to reducing your bills.

Age UK has a scheme with EON which offers a dicounted tariff to older people. It can really pay to shop around with all of the providers, with fuel prices due to rise again this year it may be worth trying to get a new deal before winter sets in!

Please call us if you want further information.

Best Wishes

Jo

[Hidden in reply to Jo_BLFHelpline]

Your welcome Jo thank you for your comments. xx

[terri-rose]

Thanks for that Hypercat. I'll give EDF a ring later. x

[Hidden in reply to terri-rose]

Yeah go for it terri-rose

[Gordon57]

Jo's original message about the Warm Home discount scheme , and the various comments that followed, are here:- blf.healthunlocked.com/blog...

Some companies also have a 'social tariff' they could apply for those who most need it, but that's being phased out from what I've read.

[Chinka]

Hi, I am with E-ON on their Age UK tariff and to be honest I have not found any reduction in my bills, in fact they have increased. We have Gas heating and cooking but they say our electricity usage is too high and estimate our monthly bills at nearly £200 per month, I think they are having a laught.

[buny993]

Hi british gas have or are stopping thire esensual users tariff because of goverment changes but you will recive £130 during winter 2012 2113 b after this you will have to find your own or it may be that they will introduce another .

I have come of esenseial users because i was not useing enough gas or electric and was paying full rate but not getting direct debit discount

British gas had ben riping me off i

Igot onto comparison sites and fond i could get £105 cheaper I phoned british gas and they offerd me &5 pounds to stay with them plus £130 goverment changes

*I have now gone on 30 pece aday standing charge and 28 pence a day electric It will cost me £10 a year more but is no increase untill2014 .

You should have had a letter to tell you about these changes .I would contact them becase you will loose you !30

Bit drawn out but its important to get corect imformation as £130 one winters quater for both gas and electric for m hope you and any others will find this helpfull

[Hidden]

Yeah thanks for that buny993 I will check it. I couldnt be exact on everything except that some discount can be offered on a different tariff. I was basically just giving general information for folk to follow it up with their utility companies. x

[Hidden]

Thanks for all your replies everyone. There appears to be a few of you who didnt know about this and my information was for them.

Bev xx