ScottishPower assistance paying energy and heating bills

ScottishPower recommends several steps that customers should take if they are struggling with paying their energy bills. The fuel provider has everything from payment plans to information on government aid, such as Fuel Direct, that can help during a financial hardship. Or particular focus in on assisting with heating and gas bills during the winter months, but assistance is offered year round.

The first thing someone should do is call the company. The customer service team will assess the situation. Based on that, they will offer free advice on how to either get assistance or conserve energy. The aim of Scottish Power is to find some type of solution and not to turn off the customer’s electricity service. The main programmes from Scottish Power are listed below, as well as contact information.

Payment plans and ScottishPower tariffs

Both of these options will make the customers bill more affordable over the short and long term. They can either allow the customer to be charged less money for the energy they use each quarter, or provide the customer more time to pay any arrears on their bills.

All customers should review their deal to make sure they are on the best plan for their situation. Some of the factors to review include the frequency of the bill they receive, whether it is quarterly, monthly or weekly. As an example, if they are billed quarterly and always pay on time, then using a Prepayment or Direct Debit may save them money. Or tariffs that allow payments to be spread out over the year may help the ScottishPower customer with budgeting. Call 0800 027 0072 to review the schemes and tariffs that can help save money.

Payment plans are available for customers that are in debt arrears to ScottishPower. The customer service team should be called if someone wants to enroll into one. These will be affordable and can be effective for paying down the arrears on fuel bills while keeping the heat on.

As part of this plan, the company will review the household’s financial condition. The customer will need proof of income, assets, and other information. If found to be eligible, then the provider will enter into a plan with the customer that allows them to pay a portion of their arrearage over time. The family will still need to keep up with the utility bills they receive going forward. These plans are at the discretion of ScottishPower and exceptions can always be made if the company sees reason to do this.

ScottishPower supports prepayment meters as a form of assistance as well. This will also allow the arrears to be made in installments, and the amount to pay should be affordable. Similar to above, the customer will still need to pay future heating bills on time though using the credit that is bought from a post office. Meters is a service that can help people budget on their energy bills.

The monthly cash payment plan is a budgeting tool from ScottishPower. They will send the household a letter each month requesting payment. It is best on estimated usage. Then, either quarterly or one time per year, an annual statement is sent that shows actual energy usage. The customer then will be able to spread the difference on the monthly and annual statements into a payment plan. So this reduces the chance for any arrears occurring on the account.

Information on benefits and government schemes

The customer service team will always offer free advice to customers on a low income. The team will advise the individual on government schemes, such as Fuel Direct, and refer them to conservation measures as well. Other information can be provided by the Home Heat Helpline (call 0800 33 66 99) as well as Citizens Advice Scotland (ring 0808 800 9060).

Protected Service is a customer service scheme that ScottishPower offers. This is mostly used by people who can’t manage their own affairs. The provider will allow the customer to use a friend, social worker, or relative to help them in ensuring their utility bills are paid on time.

The Direct Payments for Fuel scheme, commonly known as Fuel Direct, is for families on benefits. This allows certain energy bills to be paid using any benefits that the household currently receives, so it simplifies the payment process and can help ensure the timely payment of their heating and gas costs. Many people on poverty use this scheme, and for more information, they should ring the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or their local council.

There are other schemes available for low income ScottishPower customers, including Winter Fuel Payments, Warm Home Discounts, and others. The advice offered by the company can cover these too. For more information on any programmes available, the customer services team phone number is 0800 027 0072.