Are you missing out on extra help for free?

Generally the free service is for anyone who may require extra support. This could be because you are living with certain health difficulties, access needs, disability, or if you find yourself living in challenging circumstances. Eligibility varies between suppliers, so it is best to check with your utility company directly to see if you can join, but you are usually eligible if you:

• Are over 65
• Have a disability or long-term medical condition
• Are in a vulnerable situation – including experiencing mental health issues, recovering from an injury or bereavement
• Have children under five years old in the household or you are pregnant
• Have a hearing or visual impairment or additional communication needs, such as difficulty speaking or reading English

It is free to register; simply ask your water, gas and electricity suppliers for details, or search for Priority Services Register online. Once you have registered you will be able to access a variety of services such as:

• Receiving priority support in an emergency (such as receiving bottled water during a water outage or priority help in a power cut if you rely on electricity for medical equipment) 
• Notification in advance before any planned work or supply interruption
• Bills and communications in adapted forms such as large print, Braille and audio
• Nominee scheme so another person can handle the account on your behalf
• Setting a password to help protect you from bogus callers and visitors
• Meter readings and home visits

One of our Area Estate Managers, Matthew Paine, recently assisted at a bottled water station during a water outage and said he wanted to promote the service. Matthew said: “I wasn’t aware of Southern Water’s Priority Services Register and I suspect many of our vulnerable tenants who are eligible for this service may be missing out. It’s a free service that has the potential to benefit many vulnerable people so I would encourage people to find out more and sign up.”