How to get help with social tariffs for energy, broadband and water
Disabled people are still being disproportionately affected by the high costs of electricity and gas.
Today, 14 November, ITV News covered the extra costs of energy that disabled customers face and invited me to speak about this important topic.
Deborah, who has cerebral palsy, talked about not being able to afford to charge her wheelchair and how this was restricting her travel both outside and inside the house. She has to use a bean bag on her legs to try to reduce the muscle spasms, as she cannot afford the heating.
Scope survey findings
The disability charity, Scope, undertook an exclusive survey for ITV News across the country. It found that in my area, the East of London, for example:
- 36% of disabled people are concerned about paying their energy bills.
- 37% are not putting on the heating to cut down on costs.
- 32% are eating lower quality food or skipping meals.
- 20% have cut back or stopped showering.
In the West Country the statistics were even worse:
- 41% of disabled people are concerned about paying their energy bills.
- 44% are not putting on the heating to cut down on costs.
- 42% are eating lower quality food or skipping meals.
- 18% have cut back or stopped showering.
Disabled people are clearly disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis, due to their additional needs.
ITV News West Country
Consumer and disability groups call for Energy social tariff
In March 2023, Scope, in conjunction with 143 consumer and disability organisations, wrote an open letter to the chancellor requesting an Energy Social tariff which was signed by 58,000 people. Citizens Advice also called for a £1,500 one-off payment too the poorest households. However, to date nothing has changed.
What is a social tariff?
Social tariffs are discounted rates for consumers who fit into certain categories.
Energy social tariffs
Energy companies previously had special social tariffs available for electricity and gas customers. From 2011, energy companies started to phase out these tariffs, moving some customers onto the cheapest available tariff.
Saving money on energy
Winter fuel payment
If you were born on or before 25 September 1956, you could get a lump sum between £100 and £300. The exact amount depends on your age and if other people in your household also qualify. If you have had the payment before or you receive the State Pension or another social security benefit (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit, Universal Credit or a deferred State Pension), you should be paid automatically some time between November and December. Make a claim if you don’t get this automatically.
Warm Home Discount
Warm Home Discount is a one-off payment of £150 to reduce eligible customers’ energy bills during the winter months. The payment is added as a credit to your bill if your electricity supplier is part of the scheme and you or your partner receive a certain credit portion of Pension Credit. It is usually applied between October and March. One of you must be named on the bill.
Cold weather payment
If the average temperature in your area has been 0˚C or less for seven consecutive days and you receive one of a number of benefits, including Pension Credits, you are entitled to £25 a week for each 7-day period of cold weather. This applies between 1 November and 31 March each year and is paid automatically to those entitled to it.
Help with energy bills
If you are really struggling to pay your energy bills, notify your supplier as soon as possible because you may be able to set up a payment plan.
Ofgem provides help with links from its page Getting help if you can’t afford your energy bills. Its rules state that suppliers must work with you to help you if you are in financial difficulty.
This might include setting up a payment plan, payment breaks, more time to pay, access to hardship funds or providing details to the Priority Register. If you are vulnerable you should be on your supplier’s list.
Scope provides Disability Energy Support offering telephone advice for water and energy customers.
There may also be access to hardship funds and grants from various other organisations. You may also be able to get 60 days’ space from creditors to focus on getting debt advice and setting up a debt solution.
Debt advice is also available from Citizens Advice, StepChange and National Debtline.
Turn2Us provides information and advice on what help is available including charities that will help you pay your bills.
In summary, if you are having problems, talk to your energy supplier, they are obliged to help you.
See How to get help with paying for energy bills
Broadband and telecom social tariffs
In July 2021 Ofcom set out some boundaries for effective social tariffs, on broadband/phone packages, such as ensuring there are no data caps, minimal initial up-front costs and no early termination charges.
There is no statutory or regulatory requirements for companies to offer social tariffs. Ofcom, has said that take-up of the small number of existing options is low. But there are still some available.
Are you eligible for a discounted telecom package?
You should be able to apply for a discounted telecom package if you or someone in your household claims any of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support.
- Some providers might include additional benefits, like Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance.
How to apply for a broadband/phone social tariff
- You can find a full list of broadband and phone social tariffs on the Ofcom website. See if your current provider offers a social tariff and if it doesn’t look to switch to one that does and check any penalty fee for leaving your contract early, although you should be able to move to a social tariff from your current provider without a fee.
- If you are a job seeker check out TalkTalk, which offers a no-contract voucher for six months of their Fibre35 broadband which is part of its Flexible Support Fund. There are no data usage limits (other than the usual consumer fair usage constraints). At the end of the six-month period you can cancel or roll onto a contract with them with no charges either way.
- In order to use this scheme you must be claiming Universal Credit and have a work coach through your Job Centre. To apply, contact the Job Centre for a DWP referral code.
See 14 top tips for saving money on your landline, mobile & broadband
Water social tariffs
All water companies offer a social tariff for eligible customers. The benefits you need to be on depends on your supplier. You should check which benefits they cover.
The WaterSure scheme helps some people with their water bills. You will be eligible if you or anyone in your household is on any of the benefits listed below and need to use a lot of water, either for medical reasons or because your household has a certain number of school-age children. You also need to be on a water meter or be waiting to have one installed.
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit awarded at a rate higher than the family element
Some water suppliers also offer WaterSure if you’re on Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments.
Everything you need to know about your water supply
Check to see if you can claim any benefits
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Help to complain about energy
How to save money on and complain about, energy various posts
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Purchase and download templates to gain redress swiftly.
