29 June 2009 09:06
Out of sight, not out of mind: E.ON launches ‘Peace of Mind Payments’ awareness campaign

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 this according to a recent survey by E.ON. That's why E.ON has today (Monday) launched a campaign to make sure friends and families of potentially vulnerable E.ON customers know of 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. E.ON's campaign for its Peace of Mind Payments service 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, CaringEnergy Manager at E.ON, said: "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 E.ON offers."

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.  The CaringEnergy service includes:

• Free Benefits Entitlement Checks to ensure customers are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to;
• Subsidised cavity wall and loft insulation¹;
• Free energy efficiency advice and home energy audits;
• Free low energy light bulbs for customers on qualifying income and disability related benefits²;
• Registration for E.ON's Priority Services Register;
• Access to the CaringEnergy Fund which can provide financial assistance to cover the costs of insulation, heating measures, and the replacement of essential household appliances³.

Over 70% of Brits keen to extend a helping hand

E.ON's Peace of Mind Payments service research, which has been welcomed by Age Concern and Help the Aged, reveals that the overwhelming majority of adults in Britain are keen to take on responsibility for managing the energy use of dependents, especially of elderly relatives (71%), but that only 1% knew how to do this.

The research shows that those most concerned and willing to assist dependents with managing their energy accounts were residents of Edinburgh (88%) and Leeds (82%). People from Nottingham (55%), Sheffield (58%) and Glasgow (58%) were slightly below in percentage stakes but more than half the population was interested in helping their vulnerable friends and family members. The research also highlights a trend toward increased willingness to help based upon the age of the dependent, with a rising level of interest from older carers.

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.  She commented: "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, said: "We welcome E.ON's Peace of Mind Payments and any similar initiative that makes it easier for people to support vulnerable older friends or family."

Through Peace of Mind Payments, vulnerable customers are provided with an essential support network as an ageing population and an increase in single occupancy homes raises the number of potentially vulnerable customers who may no longer be able or capable of effectively manage their energy use. The service will help enable E.ON to gain a better understanding of its vulnerable customers' circumstances and provided better assistance for those that need it most.

Those interested in finding out more about the Peace of Mind Payments service should call 0845 302 4341 or visit

www.eonenergy.com/peaceofmind.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

The survey results are based on an Opinion Matters poll of 1,000 UK adults over the age of 35 and with elderly dependants in June 2009.

1. Cavity wall and/ or loft insulation is available for £150 until 31^st October 2009 to homeowners and private tenants. It excludes housing associations and local authority tenants, flats and maisonettes. The loft insulation offer is only available where the existing depth is less than 60mm. Lofts with in excess of 60mm may require loft top up which will incur additional charges. Loft and cavity wall insulation offers are subject to a free survey being carried out. This will identify if your property is suitable to have the measures installed and will clarify if any extra charges apply. E.ON reserves the right to change or withdraw this offer at any time. Terms and conditions apply;

2. Qualifying benefits include; Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit (not including single occupancy reduction), Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, State Pension Credit, War Disablement Pension (which must include mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance), Disablement Pension Credit (which must include constant attendance allowance), Child Tax Credit (where the relevant income is less than £15,592), Working Tax Credit (where the relevant income is less than £15,592);

3. E.ON's CaringEnergy Fund provides E.ON customers, on a household income of less than £15,460, with financial support to cover the costs of insulation, heating measures, and the replacement of essential household appliances such as fridge/freezers and washing machines. An eligibility criterion for the fund is that a household must be spending 10% or more of the total income on fuel.

City splits

About E.ON:

• E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies;
• E.ON's retail business is a leading energy supplier in the UK with around 5.5 million electricity and gas customers, covering domestic, SME and industrial;
• E.ON has invested £100 million in energy efficiency since 2006. These measures included loft and cavity wall insulation, installation of energy efficient boilers and smart metering, a technology it has committed a further £12m over the next two years.

For further information please contact:

The E.ON team at The Red Consultancy on 0845 077 1984 or email e.onteam@redconsultancy.com; or Essi Linderborg on 02476 180 092 or email essi.linderborg@eonenergy.com