TThe federal government has promised each family £400 to assist pay their power payments this winter, beneath a scheme which runs for six months from 1 October. The cash is mechanically credited to those that pay by direct debit, however for conventional prepayment meters it’s extra difficult. Every family should look forward to a £66 month-to-month voucher within the put up, which may then be used to gather cash if you prime up on the Put up Workplace or in outlets utilizing PayPoint.
Nevertheless, weeks after the scheme was launched, lots of of 1000’s of households have but to redeem their vouchers, which means support price £80m stays unclaimed. Some households could not have requested the help, however many say their vouchers merely have not been despatched out.
Right here we discuss to 4 individuals who have struggled to entry the federal government system.
Katie, London
Excessive power costs have left many individuals with troublesome decisions. As colder climate started this month, Katie (not her actual identify), 47, mentioned the vouchers would have supplied a “lifeline” – if they’d arrived.
She lives in short-term lodging in a one-bed flat in Southwark, London, together with her 12-year-old son, sleeping on the couch whereas he has the bed room. There isn’t a central heating so that they rely upon electrical heaters. The delay in receiving vouchers has compounded a troublesome scenario.
“I am unable to afford to warmth my son’s bed room,” she mentioned earlier this month, six weeks after this system started. “Now I’ve mildew rising in my bed room ceiling. It is vitally costly to warmth one’s room with a conveyable heater and the vouchers would have been an amazing assist.”
She has been on the telephone repeatedly together with her power provider, though she struggled to juggle ready on the telephone to get by to somebody whereas working full-time. She mentioned she was “extraordinarily upset” at how her supplier handled her.
She lastly acquired her coupons for October and November on Tuesday, practically two months after they have been supposedly first issued.
Peter, Sunderland
When he purchased his one-bed flat in Sunderland 9 years in the past, Peter, an antiques supplier, determined to not pay to have his pre-payment meter eliminated, given his low power wants. “I haven’t got a TV – I desire to learn,” he mentioned.
However two months into the federal government’s power invoice assist program, he nonetheless hasn’t acquired the assist he is entitled to. He shared correspondence displaying a sequence of complaints to his provider, British Gasoline, which is owned by FTSE 100 firm Centrica. He nonetheless has no coupons six weeks after the primary criticism.
“It is simply so irritating attempting to achieve them and get one thing concrete,” he mentioned. “It is sending a bit of paper from A to B, and so they cannot do it.”
Peter, who’s in his 50s and lives alone, mentioned he was irritated at being compelled to chase one thing most individuals have been given mechanically.
A British Gasoline spokesperson mentioned all October and November coupons had been despatched to clients and it could examine Peter’s case.
William Harris, Northampton
Regardless of power prices greater than doubling up to now yr, 73-year-old William Harris of Northampton has not acquired any coupons. As a result of his landlord put in a prepayment submeter in every of the eight self-contained flats in his constructing, Harris doesn’t have a direct contract with an power provider. The best way the system is presently designed signifies that the entire constructing is barely entitled to at least one set of vouchers for £400.
His landlord has advised him that on the finish of six months he’ll “see what he will get and share [the £400] up thereafter’ among the many eight households, which means he would obtain a fraction of what most UK households will obtain.
Harris has seen her studio flat’s electrical energy payments soar from £20 a month final November to £50 each three weeks and is being severely affected by the worth rise. “Since I turned [the heating on] by mid-October it’s consuming its method by, he says. “I’ve a really severe coronary heart situation and can’t afford to get sick – it would trigger me monumental issues. I am recovering from main coronary heart surgical procedure that saved me within the hospital for 3 months final yr.
“I’ve reduce as a lot as I can. I do not use the oven in any respect now, I purchase microwave meals as a result of it is cheaper to do it that method. I put on additional garments to keep away from turning on the warmth.”
Harris mentioned he has written to his MP, Residents Recommendation and his native authority, however nobody has been capable of give him a concrete reply. “I don’t know how vouchers will attain individuals in my place. It’s extremely irritating. I perceive why power costs are going up, I’ve an issue with the best way the system is run amongst HMOs [house in multiple occupation] tenants.”
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