What happens if I don't pay gas and electric bills?

Keeki

It's my biggest expense and at the stage I can't afford food. What would happen if I didn't pay it? Will they cut it off? Will they cut both off or just one?

poppy123456

I don't know if you were meant to comment on your other thread here, rather than start a new thread. https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/96056/cant-make-ends-meet-any-more#latest

Firstly, they may install pre payment meters and then you would be worse off. It would also affect your credit history too and that's never a good thing.

Have you spoke to your energy supplier? If not then i'd advise you to do this rather than start to ignore your bills because you'll only get yourself into a worse situation.

Scope also have a disability energy support service so you could also contact them. https://www.scope.org.uk/disability-energy-support/

Sandy_123

Have you spoke to your provider they may have something in place. Poppy has sent you a link on your other thread for rent and given advise on benefits. The last thing you need is having no electric.

Keeki

They've said it's as low as they can make it and I'm on the best tariff rate. I don't think I have any other choice. I just want to make sure I won't end up in prison or something

woodbine

You won't end up in prison that much I can assure you, remember from October for 6 months you will get £66 a month credited to your account by the Govt, if you are disabled you about to get another £150 payment, and if you are a pensioner another £300 later in the year plus the winter fuel allowance.

poppy123456

Keeki said:

They've said it's as low as they can make it and I'm on the best tariff rate. I don't think I have any other choice. I just want to make sure I won't end up in prison or something

I don't advise you not to pay any energy at all because that isn't going to help you going forward. Having a prepayment meter will only be even worse because they are more expensive and if you don't have money in advance for your energy then you will be without gas and electric.

On top of the other advice @woodbine has just given there's also another cost of living payment of £324 coming something this Autumn, the criteria hasn't yet been announced but if you've been claiming UC for a few years then you may qualify for this.

Tori_Scope

I realise this thread is a couple of months old now, but just wanted to pop the following opportunity here in case it's of interest:

One of my colleagues at Scope is working with a journalist to present the results of some work we've done around energy bills. They're looking to speak to someone who's gone into arrears, and ended up being moved onto a prepayment meter by their energy company.

If anyone's experienced this, and would like to find out more about the opportunity, please get in touch with me by commenting here, privately messaging me, or emailing me at community@scope.org.uk