Money saving expert Martin Lewis said that under legislation by the energy regulator Ofgem, your energy supplier must come up with a proposal to suit you if you fall behind with energy bills
Money saving expert Martin Lewis has issued urgent advice for those struggling to pay their energy bills this winter.
He urges those who are falling behind with payments to contact their supplier. Under rules by the energy regulator Ofgem, your energy supplier must come up with a proposal to suit you.
On his MoneySavingExpert site he said: “If you’re falling behind with your energy bills, and finding yourself struggling to pay, the best thing to do is contact your supplier as soon as possible. Under rules from regulator Ofgem, your supplier has to help you – usually by negotiating a payment plan that you can afford.”
Suppliers could come up with a variety of suggestions if you are struggling to meet energy bills. They could arrange a full payment plan review, repayment plans or payment breaks. Other suggestions include reducing your payments or giving you more time to pay. They could also provide access to hardship funds.
The assistance is decided depending on the particular case, and Martin said: “Payment must be based on your ability to pay. So get in touch with your supplier as soon as possible.”
People using forced prepayment meters now have code which is part of suppliers’ licence conditions and is legally enforceable. Rules which are included include:
A ban on forcibly installing meters for vulnerable customers. This includes those 75 or over who have no support in their home or where they have a child under two. Households which need a continuous supply or health reasons, and exemptions for those with a physical or mental disability.
Assessments should be made before force-fitting a prepayment meter in certain homes. They include households with children under five and those who are vulnerable because of pregnancy or bereavement. If an assessment determines you are likely to run out of credit because of being switched to prepay, the firm shouldn’t proceed.
‘Welfare visits’ should also be made before prepayment meters. are installed whether yu are already on a smart credit meter and a switch is made remotely to prepayment mode. This also includes switches traditional meters for prepayment meters.
There must also be 10 attempts to get in touch with you before a prepayment meter is installed. Companies must make contact over a three-month period to ensure you’ve had an opportunity to be home.
Body cameras must be worn during visits to your property and when your prepayment meter is installed. Footage can then be audited to ensure they are complying with guidelines. Energy suppliers must provide other repayment options to enable you to clear debt before fitting a prepayment meter. A £30 top-up credit should be added to your meter if a prepayment meter is required to prevent households being left with no supply.
Martin Lewis said prepayment meters should only be forced upon people as a ‘last resort’ to prevent disconnection. Energy suppliers, however, must explore all other options to recover the debt. After exhausting ‘all options’ they can remotely switch you to a smart prepay meter. If you don’t have a smart meter, a court warrant will be needed by your energy supplier to force you to get a prepay meter.
