First Utility assistance for electric and heating bills

The independent energy supplier First Utility provides solutions to customers that are struggling with their bills. While any type of payment plans or assistance is provided at the companies discretion, they do try to partner with the individual as well as other agencies to stop a disconnect from occurring. A priority is on protecting the vulnerable, such as elderly that may be threatened with fuel poverty, and additional help may be provided to them.

When seeking assistance for a heating arrears or any other type of bills, and assessment will be done by the customer support or credit control team at First Utility. Based on the results of this as well as the applicants circumstances, the supplier will go over options and try to find a solution for the arrears on the account. They also fully participate in offering low income customers access to government schemes, even though First Utility is an independent supplier.

Payment plans can be entered into by the customer and company. These can include either a deferment that will last for a short period of time, and the terms will be covered at the time of the application.

Another type of programme is an installment plan for future energy bills. This will often require the customer to pay their future costs on time, and an additional small payment will need to be made towards the arrears or any unpaid debts on he account. The details of this First Utility solution will also vary.

If agreeing to any type of plan, the customer support team will work with the customer to ensure they can afford to pay the future bill or debt on time. If the person then continues to fall into arrears on their gas bills, then the team will review the amount agreed to and they may adjust it.

The First Utility Foundation is a new service. This is a charity organisation run by independent trustees, and it issues grants for electric bills and other living expenses. The aim is to support the most vulnerable to ensure they stay warm during the winter, and also offer financial help for other needs they have. This grant is available for households and even charities across the UK.

Government schemes for bills provided by First Utility

The low income that are receiving benefits can seek help from the Fuel Direct Scheme. This is a central government programme in which benefits can be used to pay for electric and other utility bills. First Utility is one of the providers that participate in this scheme, and their customers can sign up for it.

The Department of Work and Pensions and local JobCentres will manage this scheme, and the aim is to help the vulnerable keep their electricity on. Fuel Direct is an option for people on Income Support, Pension Credit or Jobseekers Allowance and that have an arrears on their account.

If the customer still can’t bring their account current or keep up with the heating costs or bills, the before a disconnection takes place, the last solution to explore will be a First Utility prepayment meter. This will require the customer to make a payment on their count as a form of credit or pre-payment, and they need to continue to do this as they use fuel.

If those programmes do not help the low income household get back on track with their bills, then First Utility may decide to disconnect service. They will notify the customer in writing of this, but note they will not disconnect electricity or gas of vulnerable households between 1st October and 31st March.

Anyone that is struggling should call and seek assistance right away, before they fall too far into arrears on their energy bills. The earlier someone seeks help from First Utility, the nation’s largest independent supplier, the more options are available and the more flexibility the payment plans from the credit control team may be. The telephone number for support is 01926 320 712.