Elderly struggling with heating bills

[dave50]

If an elderly person has the heating on to keep warm during the winter but cannot afford to pay the bill, what can the energy company do about it if anything? I assume they wouldnt cut them off and let them die of hypothermia so what would happen?

[hc4361]

Pastafreak, if a pensioner on basic state pension still has a mortgage he or she will be entitled to SMI - Support for Mortgage Interest payments.
This pays the interest but not the capital.
Most lenders are happy to accept this, and recover the capital when the house is sold.

[Carakeel]

Housing benefit is based on your income, not necessarily what type of property you live in. If you have a mortgage and are on low income, then you can still get housing benefit.

Pasta, I have the same problem as you in a way. I worked in Germany for 17 years, but can't get my pension out there at the moment, as I have not reached the German pension age. If I take it out now, I will receive quite a bit less than if I wait until I am 65. I spent half of my life in Germany and France and am now 62. Because of this, I only get £49 state pension per week! So, when people read that state pension is £130, this is not quite how things work out for a lot of people. Thankfully ratter is quite a bit younger than me and has a regular income, but being in the care industry, it is not great. I care for my darling 95 year old mother, who is no longer mobile and has dementia. I get £12.85 per week for looking after her 24/7, which to be honest, I think is a disgrace!
In winter we keep the heating off in most of the house, except for Mum's room, as that has to be kept warm at all times. We also occasionally put it on in the Office/Den for a few minutes, as that is where ratter and I spend a lot of our time. But, winters are difficult to say the least!! Our only luxuries are our Irish Wolfhounds and they are what keeps us happy! This is very much a household fuelled by love!! I have not been on holiday since 1978! But some day maybe ... who knows! :o)

[pastafreak]

I own my place outright-the result of selling on when my marriage ended. So no mortgage...in that I am fortunate. But-I find it very difficult to pay for 'basic' repairs or upkeep-it's a constant juggling act.
Carakeel-I sympathise with you. It's a fact that those who worked constantly for 40+ years are the ones who get a predictable-though low by any standards-pension. Retiring is not some sort of wonderful 'freedom' as it is sometimes portrayed. If only...lol

[hc4361]

I too own my house outright and I'm fully prepared to sell and move in to suitable rented accommodation if I find myself struggling long term.