SSE customer still waiting for £2,000 refund she needs to keep warm

The 48-year old woman who lives alone suffers from arthritis and chronic pain but says she can’t afford to heat her home because she is still waiting for the refund. Sally Wells has been waiting for a refund on her energy bills of just short of £2,000 since June last year and has even turned to the energy ombudsman Ofgem for help.

The ombudsman ordered the firm to issue the refund and pay £250 in compensation and although Sally has since received £250 – the £2,000 credit has still not been paid.

A spokesperson for OVO, which bought SSE In 2020, said it is appealing the amount with Ofgem.

The energy firm has lodged an appeal over the electricity meter because it believes the decision did not take into account the amount of energy that has been used.

A spokesperson added: “We contacted Mrs Wells to apologise for the delay and advised that we will issue the refund once the Ombudsman makes a final decision.”

More support for energy bills is on its way from February including the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment and the £67 energy discount which is being paid to all households.

Customers on pre-pay meters will be sent discount vouchers by text, email or post that they will need to redeem themselves.

The Warm Home Discount of £150 should also be paid to those eligible before March 31, which is usually discounted from energy bills automatically.

Meanwhile, Express.co.uk has been testing cheap ways to heat the home to see which ones could lead to savings on energy bills with some surprising results.