Robin Hood Energy

Robin Hood Energy was launched in September 2015 by Nottingham City Council. Their aim is to provide low cost energy to all households and address fuel poverty. The company keeps overheads as low as possible. It does not pay bonuses to staff and none of its directors are paid.

If you are finding it difficult to pay your energy bills, you should contact Robin Hood Energy as soon as possible. Their customer service advisors will assess your circumstances and advise you on the payment options available.

They will set up an arrangement to pay an agreed amount weekly, fortnightly or monthly to help you repay what you owe in manageable instalments.

In certain circumstances, they will install a pay-as-you-go meter.

If you are on certain benefits, the company also suggests Fuel Direct as a solution. This is where you pay your unpaid energy bills direct from your benefits. Deductions are made each time your benefits are paid. £3.65 will be deducted from each benefit to pay off the debt you owe, plus an extra amount to cover your bills in the future. RobinHood Energy says that Fuel Direct is often cheaper and more convenient than a pay-as-you-go meter.

They also provide contact information for independent organisations that can support you if you are having difficulty paying your bills. These are:

• National Debtline, a free service offering debt advice. The telephone number is 0808 808 4000. The website is www.nationaldebtline.org.
• Citizens Advice, which aims to provide the advice people need for the problems they face. The telephone number in England is 03444 111 444, in Wales it is 03444 772020 and for Citizens Advice Scotland it is 0808 800 9060. The website is www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
• Money Advice Trust, a charity that helps people to tackle debts and manage their money wisely. The website is www.moneyadvicetrust.org.
• StepChange, a charity offering free advice to help people overcome their debt problems. The telephone number is 0800 138 1111. The website is www.stepchange.org.

Robin Hood Energy is not part of the government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme, although it says it may look into becoming part of it in future.

The government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme gives eligible people a £140 discount on their electricity bill between October and April. You are automatically eligible for the scheme if your energy company is part of the scheme and you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. You may be eligible if your energy company is part of the scheme and you are on a low income or you get certain means-tested benefits.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme payment doesn’t affect your annual Winter Fuel Payment or any Cold Weather Payment you may receive.