Owing debt to British Gas

A question about : Owing debt to British Gas

I am a single parent who owes arrears to British Gas. Over Ј1,000.
I tried to come to an agreement for arrears and they said theyre is a form we can send you to fill in who can assist in writing your debt off?
As I await for this form they have sent me a letter advising they have a warrant to exchange this meter to a prepayment meter.
How do I stop them from doing this. I have tried to negotiate a plan with them and they are even advising not to pay future payments until this form has been sent / returned so again I'm getting deeper in debt for not paying for gas at the moment.
I am only a part time single parent, what can I do?
Thanks

Best answers:

• Hi daz69kay, thank you for your query regarding Debt Owing to British Gas
  Firstly you need to be aware that gas arrears are a priority debt and non-payment can lead to disconnection or a forced installation of a prepayment meter as in your case. The form they are talking about is an application form to the British Gas Energy Trust fund which can help people with one off grants to pay for utility arrears and sometimes other costs. You don't have to wait for them to send out the form as it can be completed online at www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk. If you require assistance completing the form you can contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau which you can find at www.citizensadvice.org.uk. I would suggest that you put the application in asap and then contact British Gas and ask them to suspend the warrant whilst they process the application. If they do not agree to do this I would suggest you seek debt advice straight away. If you have other debts which you are struggling to pay I would also suggest you seek advice from a debt adviser as they can discuss other options such as a Debt Relief Order or Bankruptcy but these options can only be discussed after a full assessment of your circumstances has been made.
  Hope this if of assistance.
• So how long have you been waiting for this 'form' to arrive? I'm sure We would all like to get this 'form', as it means we won't have to pay our gas bills anymore.
• What is the problem with a repayment meter?
  Seems like it is ideal for you.
• The form will be to apply for a grant from the hardship fund to relieve the existing debt. The pre-pay meter is to ensure that you do not get into the situation again. If I were BG I would insist that a pp meter was a condition of help from the fund.