Advice on moving gas meter
Q. I want to move my gas meter, how do I do this?
A. Contact your supplier and tell them you want to have your meter moved.
They’ll tell you if they can do the work. This depends on: where your meter is now, how far you want to move it, the type of connector if it’s a gas meter and why you want to move it.
They might not be able to do the work if your meter is outside or you want to move it longer distances, for example to another room. Most suppliers have information on their website about what they can and can’t do.
If they can do all the work then your supplier will give you a price for this. Prices vary, so you should also get prices from other suppliers and compare them.
Only your current supplier can move your meter. This means if you want another supplier to do it you have to switch your supply to them first. This will change your prices for gas and electricity, so check that it’s worth it overall before you switch. If you’re a priority customer and you need to move your pre-payment meter because you’re finding it hard to read or access it, tell your supplier this - they should move it for free.
You’ll most likely be a priority customer if you’re: a pensioner, suffering from a long term illness, disabled or on your supplier’s Priority Services Register.
If your energy supplier can’t move your meter. You must contact your local electricity distributor and gas transporter to do the work.
They’ll usually charge at least £400 for the work, but it could be over £1000 – it depends on how much work needs to be done.
You might still need a registered electrician or gas engineer to do other work – for example, preparatory digging, fitting a meter box or reconnecting your supply inside your home.
You should get a number of different quotes before choosing a registered electrician or gas engineer to do this.
A. Carer’s allowance is a weekly benefit for someone caring for a person who is severely disabled.
They do not have to live together or be related. The person cared for must get disability living allowance (DLA) care component (highest or middle rate), child disability payment care component (highest or middle rate), personal independence payment (PIP) daily living component (either rate), armed forces independence payment or attendance allowance.
Receipt of constant attendance allowance by the person being cared for will also entitle the carer to carer’s allowance provided constant attendance allowance is paid at or above the normal maximum rate with an industrial injuries disablement benefit or at the basic (full day) rate with a war disablement pension. Carer’s allowance is not means-tested. However a client who earns more than a certain amount, known as the earnings limit, will not qualify for it. A person who has never worked can claim it.
Carer’s allowance is taxable income and counts as income for means-tested benefits. Most clients receiving carer’s allowance will be credited with Class 1 national insurance contributions. If your wife earns more than £128 a week which is the earnings limit then unfortunately she would be unable to claim carers allowance for you.
Q. I am looking for information on care homes for my dad who is currently being cared for at home by my two brothers. There is a Power of Attorney for my dad which is handled by my other siblings.
My dad owns his own home outright. One of my brothers is over 60 and the other has lived in the family home since birth. Both are struggling to cope with caring for our dad. My brothers are worried about being made homeless if my Dad moves into a care home.
A. A community care assessment can be carried out to assess any aids or adaptations for your dad to remain in his own home. If this has been done and the relevant Social Work departments are providing help you can request a further care assessment if your dad’s needs have increased or his health has worsened.
Changes may include the fitting of stair lifts or having a wet room installed.
If your dad is assessed as needing full time care in a care home his savings and capital may be taken into consideration as a financial statement would drawn up. Bank accounts would be examined and the council would check on the source of payments in the account which belong to your dad.
A spouse or partner living in the home would be allowed to remain and the rules on over-60s were if the person was incapacitated.
The house may be disregarded as capital if it is the sole home of a person who has given up their own home to look after the person. And if this is the case you would be advised to inform the council. An adult care plan for a carer can be done if your brothers are struggling to cope and there are charities such as Carer’s UK which can offer support.
Q. My ex-partner is sending intimidating texts to me and has been violent to me in the past. I am scared and worried. I have also fled without clothes for my children. I wish to find out what options are available to me.
A. The first point to address is the violence and intimidation.
Do you feel strong enough to report this to the police? By doing this you are making them aware of the violence and abuse that is directed towards you – this can be physically, sexually, emotionally or mentally.
There may be laws that stop your expartner from being allowed to contact you or even being in the same vicinity as you.
We can also make a call to with a charity called Woman’s Aid who can help you deal with the domestic abuse and there is access to counselling.
At the Citizens Advice Bureau we can talk to you about housing, benefits and make an application to the Scottish Welfare Fund for a crisis grant for clothing and other household items for you.
We can also give you a full benefit check to ensure that you are in receipt or know what benefits that you are entitled to as well as helping you apply for these benefits and guiding you through the benefits system.
We would also signpost you to other charities that may be able to provide additional emotional support.
PLEASE NOTE: Rutherglen & Cambuslang Citizens Advice Bureau currently is open for telephone / e-mail advice on Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3pm.