Priorities Service Register

MayBee it's not just for pension aged people anyone with a disability or have a disabled family member can be on the priority list for utilities . Been on it for 22 years since my husband died . First thing I did when I moved here in 2019 was have my name and address on the list plus they ask what help you need and your disability. You don't have to say if you don't want to but I told them as the more information they have the quicker you get help ..Since last year had problems with my speech added onto the list . Plus anyone I deal with on the phone it's down I have problems talking and to give me extra time to get the words out .

Also if you have deliveries always let them know if you need extra time to answer the door plus your safe place if you are going to be out .

MayBee70

Just a reminder to those of pension age to make sure they're registered on the Priority Services Register for Gas, Electricity and Water/drains. It is only because of my ongoing problem with getting someone out to unblock my sewage pipe that I realised I wasn't on their priority list.

Great that you have actioned this and brought tis register to other attention👍.

The electricity one is also for anyone who has a medical need for a machine. CPAP machines operate on electricity so anyone of any age who has to use one of these needs to be on the priority register. Anyone, of any age with any sort of Colostomy need to be on the water suppliers one.

The water one is for anyone of pensionable age. When I first contacted the water board I didn’t mention my age but now I’ve registered on the priority services register instead of fobbing me off they are now phoning me and reassuring me that someone would be coming out today. Yesterday all they would say is that someone ‘ might’ come today. I’ve told them that I suffer from arthritis in my hands and knees and mobility is a problem these days. I tend not to play the ‘I’m old’ card very often because I don’t think of myself as old but sometimes needs must! There has to be some advantage in getting old.

There used to be a sticker that you could put on your door to say that you’re on medication and if any of it is in the fridge I think?

We have had trouble with BT recently ( see my thread) so I looked at getting BT priority service. I am not eligible as it is not automatic for pensioners, you have to have a chronic long term illness or disability and evidence from doctor or hospital.
Might be useful information for some on here.

Thank you so much for this information. I was not aware of it and I have now registered.

The trouble with me is that these are the sort of things that I arrange when I need them not in advance when I should.

Yes, def worth registering. We had a burst water main here a couple of weeks ago, no warning, simply got up to find there was no water at all. Two hours later a pack of six large water bottles was left at my door, and again the next day, even though we had a trickle of water by then. Without those deliveries I would have been in trouble as I have no car and carrying enough water for a day would have been impossible. I also got regular text updates. So, full marks to United Utilities.

FH I am with United Utilities they offer a great service .

Cadent recently had to put new pipes in for gas in the area. The men where very considerate and worked quickly in my home as they had to push up a yellow pipe up the grass line took 2 lots of boiling water to dissolve the gunk in the pipe before the yellow pipe could be pulled though. They put new gas turn off tap . Then a boiler engineer came round to check my boiler was still working after the work was done .

I have been with Homeserve since they started where I lived before and.my husband thought it was a good idea . They look after my plumbing and heating . Not long after I moved here the sewage pipe under my driveway broken . But it was covered under my policy took .4 men all day and they even had to have sewage tanker come out to clean out the gunk as one of the men put it . And my drive repaired the same day ..Luckily no sewage came in to my bungalow.

Homeserve gives me peace of mind and I am on their priority list as in the colder weather I need my heating on .

At the hospital on Wednesday heard a father and daughter talking and they organised an electrician his call out fee was £85 my electrician doesn't charge call out fee. I did offer his number but they lived over the water .
Most councils offer assisted bin collection if you can't put you bin by the kerb . The bin men will collect your bin and put it back in the place they fetched it from .

Do you have to be elderly to be on this register?
Or have a disability.

Thanks for the reminder.

Have a disability is eligible Grecian girl.

Franbern

The electricity one is also for anyone who has a medical need for a machine. CPAP machines operate on electricity so anyone of any age who has to use one of these needs to be on the priority register. Anyone, of any age with any sort of Colostomy need to be on the water suppliers one.

What support does this offer? I have a colostomy and have never heard of this for water companies only electric gas and broadband

nandalot we’re on the BT priority register and didn't need any evidence of numerous medical conditions. Maybe age related? Mr C is 83.

They were super when attaching us to full fibre broadband. Offered extras to ensure we were ok in a power cut. The engineer stayed until everything was connected to the new hub.

I find British Gas infuriating. At each contact they want to go through each and every detail even when they are assured nothing has changed.

jenpax

Franbern

The electricity one is also for anyone who has a medical need for a machine. CPAP machines operate on electricity so anyone of any age who has to use one of these needs to be on the priority register. Anyone, of any age with any sort of Colostomy need to be on the water suppliers one.

What support does this offer? I have a colostomy and have never heard of this for water companies only electric gas and broadband

All I know is that from them not saying that they could guarantee that someone would come out the next day, once I’d registered they were phoning me up and telling me they would definitely be out that day.

Any one relying on electricity for any machines the energy company can supply a generator until mains electricity is restored . They will supply extra water for anyone who needs it for medical reasons and if you have a baby or toddler . If you rely on heating and can't be cold they will supply heaters and have those foil blankets to hold the heat in .
Well United Utilities do. When I registered they asked what I needed and told me what they could supply . They also asked if I had a baby or toddler , and if I was a carer for someone . Also if anyone had incontinence pads ,catheter or colonoscopy bag as they would supply extra water . Plus lighting if I hadn't got torches that gave of enough light for my needs . Every year I get an email saying I am on their priority list and ask to let them know if my needs have changed and I need extra help .

I believe you can also join the register if you have a child under a certain age. The range is so vast now, I worry it will become like RADAR toilets where the world and its wife can buy keys from Amazon so now the authorities are changing the locks to Yale type keys which you have to access through the Management of each facility. I had my key because I suffer from double incontinence, can't wait and might need to clean up in privacy. This has made life so much harder than it needs to be.