No money for gas and electricity bills - what happens now?
Created: 08/08/2022 06:57
By: Jasmine Farah
Energy prices are rising.
Many citizens are looking forward to winter with concern.
But what do you do when you can no longer pay the high gas bill?
With inflation, food and energy prices soaring, there seems to be no end in sight: for many, summer is just a short breather to distract themselves from future financial woes.
But at the latest when the next heating period is due in autumn, many Germans will be hit hard.
Although the traffic light coalition put together a relief package some time ago, for some it will not be enough to make ends meet.
No money for gas and electricity bills – what happens then?
Pensioners and low earners in particular are already very concerned that they will soon no longer be able to pay.
After all, there are often enough horror stories that gas or electricity are suddenly shut off.
But energy suppliers first send out a reminder in which they point out the outstanding payment.
It is best not to throw away these letters or to ignore them.
Rising energy prices hit pensioners particularly hard.
© "tommyandone"/Imago
Anyone who has payment difficulties is better off responding and actively approaching their energy supplier and landlord.
The Hamburg consumer
center also advises this
.
Describe your problem, don't be ashamed of it.
If you don't do this, you will receive another reminder after about four weeks.
It may be that your energy supplier threatens you with the dreaded power or gas cut.
No money for gas and electricity bills - payment in installments is possible
As the consumer advocates explain further, this is only possible under certain conditions.
If you are in arrears of two or more payments and at least 100 euros in arrears, the energy supplier can theoretically turn off your electricity.
However, the energy supplier must also show you alternatives in writing or how you can avoid a gas or electricity cut.
Accordingly, there are various offers of help as well as state support or debtor and consumer advice.
It is best to arrange (interest-free) installment payments directly with your provider, for example.
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If you still do not contact your energy supplier, they will inform you at least eight days before the blockage on which day the electricity or gas will be shut off.
Most consumers have a contract with a basic supplier.
This is the energy supply company that supplies most households with electricity or gas in the respective grid area.
If you have another provider, you must check your contract to see what agreements or terms and conditions it contains.
