Rip Off Britain – Priority Services Register
On our programme on Thursday 18th January 2024 we discussed the extra support you may be able to receive if eligible for the Priority Services Register, with Helen Lord, founder of the Vulnerability Registration Service.
What is the Priority Services Register?
The is a free service which provides advice and support, including when there’s an interruption to your electricity, gas or water supply.
Are you eligible?
You are eligible for the Priority Services Register 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.
How to register?
• Energy suppliers and Network operators will both keep a Priority Services Register. If you think you should be added to either you need to contact your energy supplier or network operator.
• Give them your contact details and as much information as you can about your needs.
• Your supplier can pass your details to your network operator to add you to their register too. It’s a good idea to ask them to do this if you rely on your energy supply for medical reasons.
• If you have a different supplier for your gas and electricity, you need to contact them both.
• You'll need to register again with any new supplier if you switch supplier.
Help you can get
• Wherever possible, advanced notice of scheduled 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.
• Priority support when calling your network operator.
• 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.
• Help reconnecting your gas supply, if you need it.
Vulnerability Registration Service
The VRS provides vulnerable consumers with a way of sharing information on their circumstances with organisations like lenders and creditors.
Individual users can opt either to be pre-declined for financial service applications or, if they prefer, they can simply add a ‘referral flag’ to their names to make organisations aware of their circumstances, so that these can be taken into consideration. This may include applications in existing customer relationships, such as in managing arrears or collections in the most appropriate ways.
For more information please visit:
