Utilities: Financial Help

From Consumer Wiki

Assistance to Pay Utility Bills =

The following links are to Charitable Trusts set up by various Gas, Electric and Water companies which offer grants to pay utility bills where there is genuine financial hardship. In some instances, you may need to be a customer of the utility company to ask for assistance.


United Utilities Trust Fund.

Here you can apply for a grant (not repayable) in order to clear your utilities debts. There is an application form, and you need to send the bills to them, but they are willing to help people get back on track. So if you have an unpaid utilities bill including water / gas / elec and repaying them is causing you hardship then apply for help.

Welcome to the United Utilities Trust Fund Site

Anglian Water Trust Fund

An independent Charitable Trust offering financial assistance to those in hardship in the Anglian and Hartlepool Water Regions.


Anglian Water Trust Fund website

British Gas Energy Trust

An independent Charitable Trust established in September 2004 which aims to contribute to the fight against poverty. (To apply the applicant must be a customer of British Gas or Scottish Gas)

British Gas Energy Trust website


EDF Energy Trust

An independent Charitable Trust offering financial assistance to those in hardship to pay their energy bills. (To apply the applicant must be a customer of London Energy, SWEB Energy, SEEBOARD Energy or Virgin HomeEnergy.)

EDF Energy Trust website


Eos Foundation

An independent Charitable Trust offering financial assistance to those in hardship to pay their water and sewerage bills (to be eligible applicants must be a customer of one of the donor companies.)

Eos Foundation website


Severn Trent Trust Fund

An independent Charitable Trust offering financial assistance to those in hardship to pay their water and sewerage bills.

Severn Trent Trust Fund website


Joblinks

An online searchable database of charities and benevolent funds able to help people in need

Joblinks website

Social Tariff......What they dont tell you!

With thanks to Mrs Foot

I have had a long chat with British Gas regarding their social tarriff. There is not enough people switching and I think its because most people do not know the criteria. So here goes:

If you are in receipt of:

  • Child Tax Credit and salary is below £14,600
  • Working Tax Credit and salary lower than £14,600
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Attendance Allowance
  • War Disablement Pension
  • Disablement Pension
  • Child Tax Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Income Based Job Seeker Allowance
  • Carers Allowance
  • Severe Disablement Allowance

you will get the social tarriff. It is a difference of 1.2p per unit of electricity which equates on average bill of £6 per month / £72 per year...which is a lot when your relying on benefits.

You need to call British Gas / Scottish Gas on 0845 8502207 with the following:

  • Account Number
  • Name and Address
  • Benefit name and amount

Claim......if people dont apply for it then it looks like we in Britain do not have fuel poverty...and we all know different!!!

If your with another supplier...contact them and ask...most have social rates!