Utility suppliers’ priority service register for vulnerable people
We are seeking to actively encourage our elderly and vulnerable community members to sign up to the utility ‘priority users’ schemes for electricity, gas and telephone.
Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB have put together a quick information guide to help.
Please let your elderly and vulnerable relatives and neighbours know about these schemes
Who can sign up
Utility companies offer a priority services register for customers who require extra support and additional services (vulnerable people).
You can sign up to this service register if you are:
- a pensioner
- disabled or chronically sick
- have a hearing or visual impairment
When on the register you can get the following support:
- free advice on being more energy-efficient
- protection from cold callers with a password protection scheme to keep you safe
- your meter moved free of charge if it’s hard for you to use or read the meter
- a free quarterly meter reading if you can’t read your meter
- bills sent to a relative, carer or friend to help you check them
- your bills and meter readings in a braille, large print, audio tape, textphone or typetalk if you’re visually impaired
- advance notice if your supply is going to be interrupted
- priority reconnection if your supply is interrupted
- alternative facilities for cooking and heating if your supply is interrupted
- extra help to use your meter or appliances
- annual gas safety checks
Free gas safety checks
You may also be eligible for a free gas safety check, for this you must own your home and get a means tested benefit such as Pension Credit or Income Support. Also, one of the following must apply:
- you live alone
- you live with other adults who are aged over 60, disabled and or chronically sick
- you live with at least one other child under five
How to sign up to the priority services register
British Gas: Lines open Monday – Friday 8am to 8pm
0800 072 8625, or 0800 294 8604.
E-on: Lines are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 6pm on Saturdays.
0345 052 0000
If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, and have access to a Minicom text telephone, you can call free of charge on 0800 056 6560, or you can email deaf.contact@eonenergy.com.
EDF: Fill out the online priority services register form at https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-support/priority-services-register
Alternatively, you can call 0800 269 450 or minicom 0800 096 2929
United Utilities: Fill out the online priority services register form at https://www.unitedutilities.com/priority-services-register-form.aspx, call 0345 072 6093, or
webchat at http://www.unitedutilities.com/Priorityservices.aspx#