Page 3 | 93 years old- fuel bill

catchingzzzeds · 2022-04-03T21:11:07+00:00

How on earth am I going to deal with this? I've been paying my grandmother's bills through my account for years because she didn't have a bank account, she would then give me the cash the following month. She is with British Gas and her bill is going up from £86 per month to £214. She receives help with her rent and a state pension, I really don't know how I'm going to have this conversation with her without upsetting her. I wish I could just pay it for her but I just don't have the money. I feel sick.

Original poster

catchingzzzeds · 11/04/2022 21:50

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll I completely agree with you, it's outrageous.

OP posts:

nokidshere · 11/04/2022 21:58

To claim Attendance allowance people need to have significant care needs for things like personal care and medical evidence to back this up.

That's not true.

My 90 yr old MIL claimed attendance allowance because she needed some help. I couldn't answer the questions on the form because none of the health questions applied to her so I spoke to them on the phone. So whilst I could honestly answer No, she couldn't do XX it wasn't because there was anything wrong with her, just that she was old and physically weak. She only needed help to clean the house, change the bed and carry her shopping. She had no medical conditions, took no medication and lived alone looking after herself. And carried on doing so until she died at age 97.

The AA paid for a cleaner once a week who was fabulous. And gave her a bit extra towards her bills.

SuperSocks · 11/04/2022 22:03

Could she take on a couple of lodgers? That's what an elderly lady down the road from me does. Trainee doctors so she feels safe with them, and she charges a reduced rent which makes them happy, while they pitch in with housework and cooking which works well for her. There's actually a company behind it I think, they take care of all the organisation of it all...

HeckyPeck · 11/04/2022 22:04

Just a heads up that over half of Attendance Allowance claims are turned down, but a lot of these are then overturned at appeal. I think the DWP hopes people will give up and that will save them money.

If the claim is turned down, I'd recommend contacting someone like Citizens Advice or Age UK for help with the appeal.

Babyroobs · 11/04/2022 22:12

@nokidshere

To claim Attendance allowance people need to have significant care needs for things like personal care and medical evidence to back this up.

That's not true.

My 90 yr old MIL claimed attendance allowance because she needed some help. I couldn't answer the questions on the form because none of the health questions applied to her so I spoke to them on the phone. So whilst I could honestly answer No, she couldn't do XX it wasn't because there was anything wrong with her, just that she was old and physically weak. She only needed help to clean the house, change the bed and carry her shopping. She had no medical conditions, took no medication and lived alone looking after herself. And carried on doing so until she died at age 97.

The AA paid for a cleaner once a week who was fabulous. And gave her a bit extra towards her bills.

www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance/eligibility?msclkid=e18e63c8b9db11eca8a17e4c8fe32ba7

Eligibility for AA is that you have care needs or need supervision for safety.

WhatNowwwww · 11/04/2022 22:12

[quote catchingzzzeds]@Kddie I'd be too worried about building up a debt![/quote]
As long as she was paying most of the bill each month they’re not going to do anything drastic to chase the so called debt (it’s ridiculous to see it as debt when they’re charging so much). If I were you I’d increase the payment by £20 a month but change it to standing order so you’re in control and they can’t just increase it. If they send bills saying she’s in debt I’d ring and explain her age and that she can’t afford a higher payment. There’s no way they’ll cut her off and as long as she’s paying most of it each month, I’m 99% sure they won’t chase the debt any more than sending bills showing the amount owed. Don’t let her struggle to manage in other areas and don’t go getting yourself into debt to pay it for her it’s an absolute disgrace that things have got this bad for people.

Original poster

catchingzzzeds · 11/04/2022 22:15

@nokidshere @HeckyPeck that's really reassuring thank you, if we get turned down I'll be sure to appeal.

@SuperSocks thank you but she privately rents and receives housing benefit so I don't think that's an option.

OP posts:

Original poster

catchingzzzeds · 11/04/2022 22:18

@WhatNowwwww I'll consider that if she's turned down for the additional benefit

OP posts:

Porcupineintherough · 11/04/2022 22:23

If she owns the house an she not look at releasing some equity to improve the state of it (better insulation, more heating) and her living conditions generally? It would mean less for the rest of you to inherit but she would at least see the benefit of it.

Babyroobs · 11/04/2022 22:24

@Porcupineintherough

If she owns the house an she not look at releasing some equity to improve the state of it (better insulation, more heating) and her living conditions generally? It would mean less for the rest of you to inherit but she would at least see the benefit of it.

Op has said numerous times that she rents and receives housing benefit.

Hobbittingaroundtown · 11/04/2022 22:33

If she is mentally confused then she might be able to claim an exemption from council tax www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/severe-mental-impairment-dementia-council-tax-rebate/

WhatNowwwww · 11/04/2022 23:30

Good luck with it OP. There may be charities that could help advocate for her if you need more support with it, step change or CAB spring to mind.

hookiewookie29 · 11/04/2022 23:33

My Mum is 86 and her energy bill has almost tripled from £43 per month to £ 109! Getting hold of e-on is like talking to God....

nokidshere · 12/04/2022 09:21

Eligibility for AA is that you have care needs or need supervision for safety.

Yes, I was just pointing out that those needs don't have to be medical and/or evidenced by a medical professional as a pp stated.

Babyroobs · 12/04/2022 11:36

@nokidshere

Eligibility for AA is that you have care needs or need supervision for safety.

Yes, I was just pointing out that those needs don't have to be medical and/or evidenced by a medical professional as a pp stated.

It very much helps with the application if there is Gp records/ medical evidence to back it up. I have helped people with hundreds of AA applications and this is my experience.

nokidshere · 12/04/2022 12:39

It very much helps with the application if there is Gp records/ medical evidence to back it up. I have helped people with hundreds of AA applications and this is my experience.

Of course those things help if you actually have a medical problem. However, people need to know that even someone who doesn't have medical needs is able to claim AA. Being old and physically frail is a reason in itself. MIL had no health problems and hadn't seen a Dr in years beyond her annual flu jab. The forms are not geared for people like her, but a conversation by phone is likely to bring a favourable outcome.

I would never discourage anyone from applying for it simply because they don't have medical problems.

Even something as simple as being able to pay a cleaner/have someone change the beds etc would help many elderly people stay in their own homes, which is much cheaper for the government than having to house them in a care facility.

Wavygravy1 · 12/04/2022 12:53

This is heartbreaking - so many people will struggle so much

junglejane66 · 12/04/2022 13:41

@FTMFML

I’m sure Martin Lewis said the energy company should not be going above 60% your grans bill has over doubled!! I’d be putting in a phone call… not that we have yet ours has also doubled. It’s scandalous 😞

If you've come off a fixed rate it could well be more than the 54% quoted. If you were on a low rate fixed deal, which has just ended if will go up to the new capped rate which might be a lot more than the 54% ML goes on about. It fairly common sense but a lot of ppl seem confused

The 54% relates to someone on a current standard rate and the new capped price is 54% more now

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 12/04/2022 13:47

@bigbluebus

I'm assuming she doesn't use all 3 bedrooms. Are the radiators off/on the ice symbol in all the rooms not in use and the doors firmly shut?

It's best to have the radiators on the lowest setting,not a good idea to have no heating at all.

Appleseesaw · 12/04/2022 14:13

I take it she’s not paying council tax? This should hopefully have been assessed at the same time as her housing benefit.

HopefulProcrastinator · 12/04/2022 14:35

@catchingzzzeds make sure that your gran is on the best tariff for her water bills too. The water companies have special tariffs for low income people and other capped tariffs for vulnerable people.

There are differing criteria depending on which water company she's with but it's definitely worth exploring as a way of reducing outgoings...also consider a water meter if she's on rateable value. The rateable value for a 3 bed home is going to be much higher than actual usage from what you've described about her living situation.

I know the fuel bill is the immediate concern, but always worth looking at where savings can be made at the moment.

Dibble135 · 12/04/2022 14:49

I had this with Eon for my mum. I told them no. They tried to push a bit before admitting they can’t force you to increase the direct debit.

So the account might go into minus numbers. So what?

What will they do? Send bailiffs to an old lady? Their publicity department would love that!

yellowsuninthesky · 12/04/2022 15:06

To claim Attendance allowance people need to have significant care needs for things like personal care and medical evidence to back this up

As a pp said it is not true and it is not fraudulent to apply for it. And the vast majority of people over 90 need some assistance with living anyway. My father got it, and it was paid with his pension and was a (small) help towards his care home fees when he went into a care home. Before that he used it to pay for a cleaner.

MIL is nearly 94 and also gets it.

What concerns me about this is what a pp said - what do you do if you don't have someone to advocate for you? And what do you do if the energy/other company won't talk to a relative "cos GDPR". Then you have to resort to snail mail.

Original poster

catchingzzzeds · 12/04/2022 16:26

Thank you everyone, I'm keeping everything crossed for the AA.
I'll look into the water bill too, that's good advice.

My Nan grew up in a very poor family, left school at 14 to work in the steel factories and lost her husband in her 40s. It's through no fault of her own that she now struggles financially, and actually has done all her life. I don't know how they expect people in her position to manage the rise in the cost of living.
It's awful that she needs to worry about the cost of food and heating bills at her age. The world has been frightening enough for her over the last couple of years, she has deteriorated massively in mobility and cognitive function due largely to the pandemic.

OP posts:

LardyDee · 12/04/2022 16:42

@Dibble135

I had this with Eon for my mum. I told them no. They tried to push a bit before admitting they can’t force you to increase the direct debit.

So the account might go into minus numbers. So what?

What will they do? Send bailiffs to an old lady? Their publicity department would love that!

Whether they would do this with a vulnerable customer I don't know, but their usual response to these sorts of credit-control problems is to install a pre-payment meter so that the customer can't get (any further) into arrears.