After working for 37 years due to a health condition returning I have had to retire from my job and have had to claim universal credit..If some of you claim u.c this could be of use if you claim you will know what the journal etc is..I asked for info to help get through till next payment and was left a note saying get in touch with british gas as they are sending out a 3 month prepaid electric key which you pay similar fees as you pay already. Things looked good so I rang British gas as I'm on u.c and classed as vulnerable..most people with prepayment meters seem to fall into this category. Firstly the Advisor seemed to have no clue..Usually B.Gas Advisors are usually good after going through all the info. I felt wow not going to have to worry about topping up for 3 months and as have been bedridden for almost 18 months and no one now to assist me due to the person who assisted me had to self isolate for 12 weeks..Then The Advisor said I'll put you on hold when he returned he said " Sorry you don't fit the criteria you haven't passed the credit
reference check." I was bemused a credit reference check to get assistance during covid 19 but was too ill to take it in..Anyway reluctantly the Advisor sent me out a new electricity key to take to a 'Payzone' with £49 credit..better than nothing..All week it bugged me as if you fit criteria
ie : pass credit ref etc chances are you may have savings, employment etc and able to fund your electric prepayment meters..The info was given to me by DWP and Universal Credit..After the weekend I rang British gas re : this matter luckily I got put through to a good Advisior and explained the situation ie : credit ref etc. The Advisor was very apologetic at her colleagues use of using credit ref to ascertain who was legible for the 3 months prepayment top up and had no right to use a credit ref check ..I usually have to top up £20 weekly..Now the info from British gas Advisor who knew their job and facts re : this matter..I was given a code to write down and £240 credit put on it to take to a 'Payzone' not a Post Office..Pay back same as my usual weekly charge for having prepayment meter..She did give me additional info. The Electric key holds a maximum of £250 so in order to use best was to wait till your credit was down to your last £10..Then when going with your key and the code given go to a 'Payzone' and they will add the £240 credit to your Electric Prepayment Key..As said I use around £20 weekly I am not sure if it's a standard amount they add or amount added maybe more..ie : if you spend more weekly if you have a larger family etc. So to sum up I received £49 credit plus £240 to be added when my credit has gone down to £10 or less.Hopefully this info may be off some people to make use off ...The £240 plus the £49 means I have some additional money to purchase food etc..good luck just remember if you get an Advisor that decides they will go through credit checks..be polite and ask to speak to another advisor ..minimum of £240 what can that saving do for you and your family during the next few months..if you have friends..family members who have prepayment meters by British Gas for their Elecctic supply please pass on this info..we are all in this together..not sure if they can split between electric and gas meters if both meters are by British Gas..Electric and Gas.hope this info helps it is Factual and correct info given by British Gas