Universal Credit — self-help tips
Hi all, we’ve updated our Universal Credit self-help tips here. The page includes info for ESA claimants on postponing ESA to UC, and our rights.
Cost of living
Tues 25 April — Support Helen at court vs DWP auto deductions for energy bills
On Tuesday 25 April, we’re joining Fuel Poverty Action, Disabled People Against Cuts and others in support of Helen Timson, a disabled woman who successfully challenged benefit deductions by the DWP done without her knowledge or consent — the DWP is now appealing against this. Vigil details: Time: 9.15-10.15am and 12-2pm — WinVisible joining at … Read more
Judge orders stop to warrants for forced prepay meters
Forced prepay meters: magistrates have been rubber-stamping court orders for forced installation against sick and disabled people, families and mothers with infants. Good news shared from The Guardian 6 February 2023: “Magistrates have been ordered to stop issuing warrants allowing energy firms to force fit prepayment meters in England and Wales. One of the country’s … Read more
Forced prepay meters — British Gas facts
January 2023 Paul Morgan-Bentley undercover with Arvato Financial Solutions on behalf of British Gas. Breaking in to install forced prepay meters on children with a single father, a single mother with a newborn baby, sick and disabled people. Flouting the Ofgem rules on vulnerable users. November 2022 British Gas owner Centrica hands £250m to shareholders … Read more
Disabilities campaigners lead challenge to energy bill meters
Photo: Vigil in memory of Lawrence Bond, Kentish Town Jobcentre, January 2017 Shared from Camden New Journal with thanks — our piece in their Disability History Month special edition: WinVisible helps people with support and information Thursday, 29th December 2022 — By Frankie Lister-Fell FOR 38 years a Kentish-Town based disabilities group has been a powerful … Read more
Petition: Don’t force us onto prepay meters!
Stop energy companies forcing us onto prepayment meters — prevent illness and deaths from cold and damp! Sign the petition by 38 Degrees here: https://act.38degrees.org.uk/act/stop-forced-prepayment… The petition targets Centrica (British Gas), EDF, Eon, Ovo (SSE), Octopus and Scottish Power. 38 Degrees says: “Since July 2021, energy suppliers have obtained more than 490,000 warrants to enter … Read more
Resisting forced prepay meters
A disabled woman in our group successfully resisted the energy company trying to force her onto a prepay meter — even though her energy bill was in arrears. She argued that a prepay meter was not accessible for her. She told them that because of her ill-health, often she can’t go out to the shop … Read more
Cold weather payments
Shared from i news Money page What is the cold weather payment? The cold weather payment is a DWP scheme that runs from 1 November to 31 March each year. A payment of £25 is sent to eligible people for every seven-day period in which the temperature is below zero, which is designed to be used for … Read more
Disabled woman felt ‘bullied’ by energy firm
Shared from Ruby Flanagan, Daily Express personal finance writer Disabled woman felt ‘bullied’ by energy firm when asking for help to avoid prepayment plan Ebere signed up to her provider through Priority Services (Image: GETTY) [Stock photo] A disabled woman says her energy bills have “shot up” significantly due to her reliance on medical equipment. By RUBY … Read more
Cost of living — fuel bills
Quote: “The energy company ‘threatened me they were coming to change me to a prepay meter.’ This scared her because she would be unable to go to the shops to top up a prepay card.” When she tried to explain why she couldn’t pay, they replied, “switch off” the equipment she needs. WinVisible supported her … Read more