Free Priority Services

All gas and electricity suppliers are required under a Code of Practice as part of their licence conditions to give priority services on request and without charge to people of pensionable age, people with disabilities and the chronically sick.

 

 

These are:

• free gas appliance and installation annual safety check if all adults in the home are of pensionable age, disabled or chronically sick;

• a meter reading service on a quarterly basis if no one in the household is able to read the meter themselves;

• if you have difficulty using your gas and/or electricity appliances or reading your meter, your company may be able to provide special controls and adapters to help you;

• if you find it difficult to access or read your gas/electricity meter, your supplier will consider moving the meter, free of charge, to a more convenient position;

• sending a bill to a nominated third party for payment;

• providing special means, for example a password, for the person to confirm the identity of an electricity or gas employee calling at their home;

• if you are visually or hearing impaired your energy company must provide information about your meter reading and bills. They must also have suitable facilities to enable you to make complaints or enquiries. Consumers must provide their own textphone equipment but many companies provide Braille and talking bills;

• priority service in getting your gas supply restored or, if necessary arrangements will be made for temporary heating and cooking facilities.

 

 

For more information or to register contact your supplier or Energywatch.

 

 

Energywatch, tel: 0845 906 0708 (lo-call rate)

Typetalk: 18001 08459 06 07 08 (lo-call rate)

Website: www.energywatch.org.uk

 

 

(Taken from Age Concern England Factsheet 1, September 2007)

 

 

 

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