Helping friends and family manage energy

More than two-thirds of Brits are keen to take on the responsibility for helping loved ones manage their energy use but only 1% know how to go about it, according to a recent survey by E.ON. That’s why the energy company has launched a campaign to make sure friends and families of potentially vulnerable customers know how easy it is to pay their energy bills for them.

Peace of Mind Payments is E.ON’s simple solution for people to register to pay the energy bills of their nearest and dearest, giving them the assurance that there are no problems with their bills and also access to a range of energy saving advice and services.

The campaign has been launched in response to research that has revealed less than 1% of the population know that supporting payment services and assistance are available through their energy provider.

Catherine Clayton, E.ON’s CaringEnergy Manager, says: “While all energy suppliers provide help for their vulnerable customers, our research has shown that many people are still unaware of the support available and the process for obtaining this support is often more complicated than it should be. This has to change.

“Peace of Mind Payments provides our vulnerable customers, and those who care for them, with a straightforward and hassle-free way to access the full range of energy efficiency and money saving services that we offer.”

Concerned friends or relatives can, besides providing financial support in the form of bill payments, access E.ON’s CaringEnergy service on behalf of vulnerable customers through the Peace of Mind Payments service.

E.ON’s own staff have taken advantage of this service. Angela Stanners, a personal assistant from Solihull, has the Peace of Mind Payments service, says: “I look after all my mom’s financial affairs as she has Parkinson’s disease and is unable to do this for herself... I have struggled with some organisations despite having all the correct approvals in place.

“E.ON made the whole experience very easy for me, and taking the worry away from my mom has made a huge difference to both of us.“

Michelle Mitchell, charity director for Age Concern and Help the Aged, says: “We welcome this and any similar initiative that makes it easier for people to support vulnerable older friends or family.”

More information: www.eonenergy.com/peaceofmind.