Energy Advice

Hi.  I’m John an energy advisor at Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau. The help available from a Citizens Advice Bureau is wide ranging and includes help with energy. The energy team mainly work on the basis of making sure anyone regardless of income, remain as far away from energy disconnection as possible. This can happen in a lot of different ways but below are some examples and issues we deal with on a daily basis and can help you if you feel like it is needed. Just call 0141 889 2121 and one of our advisors will get back to you. 

Ways we can help both prepayment and credit meter customers include:

• Help with any meter, billing or supplier issues you may have and the list below is non exhaustive so if you have any worries regarding your energy again please give us a call. 
• Emergency support 
• Although the Government's Energy Bill Support Scheme is now in place there have been problems with its implementation so if you have any questions or issues (no query is ever considered too small we are here to help.
• Prepayment meter debt repayment reduction. Although many suppliers have started a debt repayment holiday, until March, we can still help get any meter debt reduced before then for when the repayment window ends. 
• Perhaps the most critical one for pre-payment customers - we can help get replacement card and keys sent out. If you have misplaced a card or key it is often harder to get a new one than we would like. 
• Credit customers who have fallen into debt - If you are a credit customer and have fallen into debt we can apply for the many grant schemes that may have popped up from your provider or the Home Heating Support Fund Run Via Advice Direct Scotland.

We can get you added to the Priority Service Register - You are eligible if you:

• have reached your state pension age
• are disabled or have a long-term medical condition
• are recovering from an injury
• have a hearing or sight condition
• have a mental health condition
• are pregnant or have young children
• have extra communication needs (such as if you don’t speak or read English well)
• need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply
• have poor or no sense of smell
• would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency.

You might still be able to register for other reasons if your situation isn’t listed. For example, if you need short-term support after a stay in hospital. 

Being on the Priority Service Register will help in the following ways:

• Advance notice of planned power cuts. If you rely on your energy supply for medical reasons your network operator can tell you about planned power cuts. For example, when they plan engineering work.
• Priority support in an emergency. Network operators could provide heating and cooking facilities if you are cut off supply.
• Identification and password scheme. This could include arranging a password or agreed on picture cards if callers need to visit or contact you. This way you can feel confident they are genuine. 
• Nominee scheme. You can nominate someone to receive communications and bills from your supplier. For example, a family member, carer or someone you trust.
• Help with prepayment meter access. For example, moving a meter if you can’t safely get to it to top up.
• Regular meter reading services. For example, if nobody can read your meter.
• Accessible information. For example, account info and bills in large print or braille.

Perhaps most importantly we can also offer to take a look at any other issues you may have regarding debt, benefits, energy making it a holistic service aimed at helping you with your finances as well as offering support in these difficult times with both the Energy Crisis and Cost of Living Crisis.