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What happens when my emergency electric runs out?

99 replies

NewNameForPrivacy · 21/08/2015 19:12

I have a pay as you go electricity meter with British Gas. Ran out of credit 2 days ago and popped the key in to give me £5 emergency credit. I thought this would be more than enough to last til payday on Monday.

Well, halfway through cooking dinner there the daft meter starts bleeping. 98p remaining. No idea if electricity costs more per Kwh if in emergency? I have had the washing machine and cooker on loads the past few days doing batch cooking etc.

I'm usually right on top of things like this. I have a budget spreadsheet accounting for every penny coming in and out each month. But this week I've had to use the electric money to get my daughter a new pair of school shoes from Asda. We bought a pair 2 weeks ago using a gift voucher from Clarks. But she came home on Tuesday with massive blisters. Then spent another £5 from my electric fund on the train to return the shoes to Clarks who said they couldn't exchange due to me not having proof of purchase! Argh. Anyway that's another story i suppose.

I've got plenty of food in and things. I have dinners tomorrow and Sunday that I'm going to need the (electric) cooker for. But asides from that, we won't be using much electric. My daughter has uniform washed and ready for Mon, i have a work outfit ready too so won't need the washing machine back on this weekend. I'll make sure we're out during the day so we won't use the lights, telly etc (please don't rain!) So it's really only the cooker and keeping the fridgefreezer running that ill need electricity for. Oh, and to charge my phone in the evening. And to switch the boiler on for hot water for a wash and to clean dishes. Ahhhh 98p wont last will it? i heard it costs more when you're in debt on the meter?

Not enough call allowance left to phone British Gas to see if they can do anything. Not sure they'd be able to do anything anyway. I've sent them an email just now though but doubt I'll hear anything til Monday. By which time ill have topped up anyway!

Not in a position to ask/borrow. Please don't mistake this thread as a begging thread. I would never accept anything offered by strangers over the web.

Have sold everything i had that was sellable over the summer to do days out and things over the summer with my daughter. Have her old (NEW fgs)clarks shoes on my local selling page just now but doubt they'll shift as my daughter has really really narrow feet and they're a funny width. Although the Asda non-specified width shoes i bought her a few days ago seem to be much more comfortable! Fuming at Clarks right now.

This has turned into a really muddled and panicked post! Does anybody know what happens when the meter hits 0? Really worried all my fridgefreezer stuff will get ruined if the electric cuts out before Mon. My daughter keeps asking to switch the big light on as the sun is going down. Keep having to say no because it's broken. What a shambles.

OP posts:
Waybalooloo · 16/07/2017 21:17

Most don't go off over night. Mine doesn't it then goes off about 7am

harvey1962 · 17/11/2017 16:34

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Karlalouise13 · 27/01/2018 21:39

Hi everyone I am new here

I have hit a financial situation and won’t be paid until next Friday!!! I have severe ADHD and my child is only 3 years old
We only have each other .. I’m really scared and worried because I have £1 left of emergency credit on my BG meter ..

I wondered if anyone new if I could get a top up from the suppliers ??

I really am worried and am sitting here crying my eyes out trying to figure why I am even in this situation .. her dad didn’t pay me and hasn’t for 2 months .. this is the first time I’ve been ill and had time off work and it leads to this .. all my baby’s food will go off then I’ll have no food either

Please someone help me with some info that may lead to me being able to provide for my child til Friday x

specialsubject · 28/01/2018 10:27

Stop crying and ring British gas. And tomorrow try citizens advice about forcing sperm donor to pay up. Any point in calling him to demand what he owes?

OttoOhOctopus · 28/01/2018 10:31

If you have any turn off all large and small electrical items at the wall; even standby uses a lot of electricity.

Sleep in one bedroom to minimise having two lights on in the evening, or have a camp out in the living room so there's no need to turn any other lights on / off.

Do you have a torch or candles?

TheDevilMadeMeDoIt · 28/01/2018 15:52

KarlaLouise start a new thread to ask about your situation. This one is a few years old so most people will realise that on page one and not bother getting to page four.

newmum1407 · 20/06/2018 20:02

i posted a thread earlier and had no replies n have now come across this one,im basically in the same position,are there any charities or organisations that could help out untill friday night/saturday morning!! never been in this position before ,the universal credit switch over has ruined my routine lol any help or advise is much appreciated!! thanks xxx

Miladamermalada · 20/06/2018 21:39

Can you ask next door to put your stuff in their freezer/cook? I'd happily give a neighbour a tenner for this if I had it.

Miladamermalada · 20/06/2018 21:41

Go to your GP or HV for a food bank referral. Often they can give emergency grants for electricity and gas.

millymoo24 · 23/03/2019 16:19

I am in the same boat , and my electric has just cut out ! got no one to help me , wow didn't know how boring it is without electric! kids are currently happy though playing hide.n seek . gonna be a long night roll on Monday payday! my kind neighbour has offered to cook out food n wash my son's uniform for us . thank God for kind hearted people xxx

millymoo24 · 23/03/2019 16:20

well a part from my kind neighbour xx

SARAHjow · 22/05/2019 01:08

Hi I’m a single mother with one child I’d like to no if anyone can tell me if my electricity will go off it’s on emergency credit I only get a £1 emergency and I’ve left it too late to get any as I’ve been having family problems my father is in hospital with dementia and the travelling too and from the hospital has left me so short this month I’m in a right state please can anyone help me by letting me no if it will go off tonight or in the morning? Either way I’m going to struggle to top up my meter there’s food in the house but I’m scared it’s going to go off and ruin all my freezer stuff can anyone please help

Dfletch2019 · 26/09/2019 07:03

i have got no electric and my payday is ages away

Kaxxa81 · 25/01/2020 07:24

I NEED SOME ADVICE PLEASE. I have just currently moved into a new home and am 7 months pregnant. I also have a 4 & 6 year old. I am having problems with my electricity. There is no credit in it and I don't get paid till the 28th. All my money has went into moving Into my new home. I phoned my electric company and they are saying I need to go to my local council for help with electricity and food but the problem. Is it is now the weekend and I will have to wait till Monday. Does anyone have any advice on how I can get food and electricity not for myself but for my children. I am worried sick and can't sleep with this. Any advice would be massively appreciated. Thanks in advance.

yogo · 25/01/2020 08:01

You'll need to ask friends or family for a temporary loan I think.

NoSquirrels · 25/01/2020 09:01

Zombie thread!

@Kaxxa81 Welcome to MN. As this thread is years old start a new thread if you need to. The best thing is to ask a friend or your family for a loan. If you start a new thread add some more information - your electricity company, why there’s no electric or food at all etc.

Don’t reply on this thread it is too old.

Mumtothree03 · 19/03/2020 20:42

Can anyone advise me on if I could get help to top my electric up please

Skyecali · 25/04/2020 18:21

Does anyone know if my electricity will go off tonight or tomorrow since its after 6.20pm ? Am with Scottish gas but unfortunately struggling a bit this week & can't top up metre till Monday morning 😭 any advice would be great . Thank you

Loubylou8500 · 19/11/2021 04:58

Hi just wanting some advice do british gas help u with a temporary credit after your emergency runs out only struggling at the minute since its gone up only got 99p to last 5 day till I get paid from work and hot a 4 month old and its getting cold 🥶 now plus I've got a gas cooker really worrying

BackAwayFatty · 24/11/2021 14:33

@Loubylou8500 I thought If you had children under 5 they couldn't cut your power off. worth giving them a call to check

HipposHaveNipples · 24/11/2021 14:38

ZOMBIE THREAD

Mumofboysandgirls · 06/02/2022 02:43

Hey everyone sorry to be a pain but does anyone know how long £2 will last in my electricity I had £5 emergency this evening and I'm now down to £2 😭 I have a son with adhd and a wee girl addicted to cartoons I'm petrified ot won't last till Monday morning when I'm paid I don't know what to do I've already asked my provider for help but they refused because I've already had help this month any advice would be great thanks in advance

onitlikeacarbonnet · 06/02/2022 03:20

This is a very old thread. You should start a new one.

CarolineMumsnet · 06/02/2022 14:32

Hello, we can see this thread is causing a bit of confusion - it's pretty old and keeps getting reanimated. Given how things move on, we think it's best we close this one now. Please do start another thread if you're looking for support and advice on this topic. Flowers

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