E.ON

E.ON is one of the world’s largest investor-owned gas and electrical company. The company was created as a result of the merging of two existing German energy companies; VEBA and VIAG, in the year 2000. The previously government-owned Powergen was then acquired by E.ON and thus operations began in 2002.

If you are struggling to pay a bill, it is important you contact E.ON straight away. They promise to take into account your personal circumstances, so it is important you inform them of your current financial situation including any benefits you receive and any vulnerabilities your household has that may prevent you from paying your bill. E.ON can offer a number of payment options to help you get up to date, these include:

• Paying the balance in full.
• Setting up a monthly payment arrangement by direct debit.
• Having a prepayment meter installed(where it is safe to do so).
• Making a weekly, fortnightly or monthly card payment arrangement.
• Fuel direct payments through your benefits.

The majority of these payment arrangements allow you to pay for your usage plus a manageable amount towards your debt. It is important that you contact E.ON if you are having further trouble sticking to any arrangements agreed. Trained advisors will then be on hand to discuss your situation and advise you on your options. They may:

• Give you advice on how to become more energy efficient, helping you save money on your future bills.
• Advise you to contact the Department for Work and Pensions, where appropriate, as it may be possible for you to join the Fuel Direct payment scheme. This scheme is operated through the DWP and is available to customers receiving income support, Jobseekers Allowance or Pension Credit. Where this is an appropriate solution, £3.65 will be deducted weekly from your benefit and will contribute towards paying your debt, plus an additional amount to cover ongoing gas and electricity charges.
• Advise you to apply for the warm home discount scheme, more information is available at: eoenergy.com/warmhomediscount
• Point you in the direction of national charities, such as Stepchange, National Debt Line, Age UK, Citizens Advice, Disabled Living Foundation or the Energy Saving Trust.

E.ON also offer a priorities register for anybody of pensionable age, people who are chronically sick or individuals who are registered disabled. This enables your account to disclose details of any special needs you think E.ON should know about. It allows E.ON to be notified of anybody who may be seriously affected if their gas or electric supply is disconnected. In order to be placed on the priorities register you will need to download and complete a form.

You can find the form here: https://www.eonenergy.com/-/media/PDFs/General-PDFs/codes-of-practice/special-needs-october-2012.pdf

For more information on paying your bills or advice on debt, please visit: https://www.eonenergy.com/-/media/PDFs/General-PDFs/COPPayBillFeb2015.pdf.

E.ON are part of the government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme gives eligible people a £140 discount on their electricity bill between October and April. You are automatically eligible for the scheme if your energy company is part of the scheme and you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. You may be eligible if your energy company is part of the scheme and you are on a low income or you get certain means-tested benefits.

For more information on the Warm Home Discount Scheme you can visit www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/