What to do if I can't afford the recommended Direct Debit amount?

Hi everyone, thanks for sharing your experiences and advice. I’d also like to chip in to make sure these great resources have been signposted:

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Can anyone tell me what is available for OAPs my mother is 80 ha an account with OVO and is struggling to p, shes pays 8o per month and now OVO want 160 

Hi *Edited by Mod* ,

Her best options would probably be to give the Collections Team a call on 0800 069 9831.

They can go through various options that may help and I think they’re also able to assist with OVO’s new Customer Support Package. All of these options can be explored and usually, the ones that are the easiest to do for everyone involved are the ones that get recommended first.

Hope this helps!

Has anyone else built up credit over this year so they won’t suffer from the cold weather ,I did all this due to me suffering from the cold badly ,I have arthritis through my whole body spinal cord damage and other things  wrong I struggle walking and doing day to day things and waiting for more operations on my spine I shouldn’t have to suffer more because of these company’s ,I managed to get it up over £1000 now I can’t afford to put the heating  on 

I have had to unplug my stair lift to try and save money it’s actually warmer outside than my house 90 mins every other day I’m putting the heating on ,I’m cold all the time my bones are cold I’m using blankets but once your bones are cold they don’t work ,my bill was £278 then minus the £66 so I paid £246 

this £66 doesn’t even last a week and that’s being careful 

electric £233 gas £45 and I’m bloody freezing to death these company’s are killing people 

what’s the point I give up now 

Hi @ramona9995 ,

I’m really sorry to hear of your situation. The forum moderators have been notified.

I strongly recommend you give the Collections Team a call on 0800 069 9831 as soon as possible. They can help you figure something out to take the pressure off. Don’t suffer in silence - they’re here to help.

Also, if you haven’t already, please set yourself up on the Priority Services Register. https://www.ovoenergy.com/register-for-priority-services

Hey @ramona9995,

I’m really sorry to hear this,

The wholesale price of fuel has increased significantly in recent times, and understandably it’s a worrying time for our customers.

Luckily, the government have intervened and capped the price for the average user through the Energy Price Guarantee. There is lot of other support available, like @Blastoise186 said you can call our Collections Team who’ll be able to offer financial advice and set up a payment plan that’s affordable to you. 

The government is also giving every household a £400 payment through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. The £400 discount will be spread over a 6 month period, from October 2022 to March 2023. You’ll receive £66 in October and November, and then £67 every month until March. 

The Priority Services Register can offer some free services, it also allows us to inform the DNO if there are any vulnerabilities in the property, so if there was a power cut you’d be prioritized. You mentioned you used a stairlift which qualifies as medical equipment, so I really would urge you to sign up. 

You might also be eligible for the Warm Home Discount payment this year:

I’ll get someone from Forum_Support to reach out, so please keep an eye on your Forum private messages.

Hope this helps. 

@ramona9995 We haven’t put the heating on at all so far this winter and our house is pretty cold too. My wife, myself and my youngest son have had coughs and colds for the past couple of weeks but we still have to go to work and school. Two of my children have Autism and global learning difficulties but i’m still not putting the heating on, we can’t afford too. It is what it is!

I tried for the warm home discount and came back not eligible even though I’m on pip ,my husband works so can’t claim anything at all ,I have the free electric blanket which I ordered through here 3 weeks ago ,I’m still  waiting for it to arrive,I’ve just had the heating on my house is damp now the 90 mins heated it up to 11 deg ,we have worked all our life to have the things we need and be comfortable, and not worry about bills my husband’s wage is not a lot £1500 a month so do we eat or keep warm ,I’m sure there is lots more out there in the same situation,it’s disheartening,I know 2 friends who has already given up and committed suicide this month due to worry of keeping warm or feeding themselves 2 funerals I didn’t think I would go too this year 

and we now need to start cancelling luxuries to keep warm so I will have no internet after the 30 th of dec ,so no tv either ,which is my life line since I don’t go out the house when my husband is at work ,what a life for the year 2022/2023 not much to look forward to 

I am already on the priority services list ,I have just tried again to see if I’m eligible for the warm home discount and because we are not on certain benefits we are not eligible at all ,maybe it pays to be on benefits and not work all your life ,pip is not included in these benefits