Free Electricity Allowance & Switching

yankinlk

Was looking at trying to save my elderly mother some cash on her bills - she never shops around or would know where to start.

SHe is with EI and I tried looking at her tariffs versus Bonkers - but something is not right. Bonkers is reporting back a huge potential savings - but its also reporting an estimate of her current costs at over double what they actually are...

SHe is on ValueReward tariff for both Gas and Electricity - which does not exist on bonkers site.

She also has a Free Electricity Allowance on every bill (is that becuase of her age?). If i was to switch her to say SSE like Bonkers suggests - would i save her money or end up costing her more? Very confusing - no wonder people dont shop around!

L1011

Try switcher.ie if Bonkers figures look off. Make sure to the put the actual usage figures in. That ValueReward tariff may not be open to new customers if its not on the site - however those tariffs without online signup are semi-hidden usually; so that could be it either.

The Home Benefits Package electricity allowance of 35/month is direct paid to EI but can be paid to a bank account if you use anyone else.

Doesn't bonkers et Al use standard rates to compare to new discounted tarrifs. If you're on a discount rate, trying to compare you're current discount figure against new tarrifs is incorrect

graememk

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058257710/free-electricity-allowance-switching

Had a look into this, I think my dad qualifies too.

Its a flat 35 euro a month, and I think it can get paid directly into account, or I seen mentioned with bord gais or electric ireland it can be taken off the bill.

Some links https://services.mywelfare.ie/en/topics/pensions-and-older-people/household-benefits/

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/extra_social_welfare_benefits/household_benefits_package.html

If you can get a recent bill (ideally a years amount) and stick the unit rate into bonkers and the usage (kwh, units) then you should get an accurate saving.

you will get the 35 euro off whoever you switch to. Very likely not to have any discount at all