Martin Lewis website
Below is the contact website run by a guy called Martin Lewis. This site offers all types of information and advice; from the best offers from the Gas companies; SSE (Hydro); BT; and so on. He also offers money tips, and money advice of all natures. So for those of you who don’t already know about this site, I think it’s well worth a look. You can access by using:
www.moneysavingexpert.com.
When you look through this site you can also request a weekly email which keeps you up to date with all the information.
SSE (Hydro) Home Services.
I’ve also recently signed up with the Hydro for a facility they are offering called Home Services. This service cover for call out fees for any electrical problems that an engineer has to attend to; (no parts or labour charges subject to terms and conditions), so you may have to pay for some of the parts and labour depending what’s gone wrong. They send you a booklet which I’m sure will explain this much better than I could!
For £5 per month, or a one-off payment (cover is only offered for one year at a time), you can assess the services above.
They will let you know shortly before your contract runs out if the offer is still there, or what offers they have when you phone.
This service provides a contact helpline 24/7 for 365 days a year.
Also when I signed up last month the were offering a discount which puts the deal down to £40 a year instead of £60; or you can pay by direct debit at £5 per month.
For more and up to date information, on this service you should contact:
www.hydro.co.uk/homeservices
Telephone: 03450786772.
The Scottish Government is consulting about how best to use its new benefit powers on Social Security in Scotland.
Age Scotland have summarised questions about what’s most likely to affect older people, and they have set up an online survey where you can get involved at; www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland
Or telephone General Enquiries on; 0333 32 32 400,
I’m unsure if they would have paper copies of the survey. My apologies to all of you who don’t have (or want to have) computer access, but it’s the way the world going now-a-days. But if you would like to become a silver surfer but don’t know where to start then call Silver Line Scotland on 0800 4 70 80 90 and they’ll give you all the information you require.
Else; I’m sure if you were to telephone Age Scotland with any query you may have on any topic what so ever then they would be more than happy to assist you in any way they could.
Tracing old pensions:
If you moved between jobs while working you may have a pension with more than one employer. Find out how to track down and claim your money.
The Pension Tracing Service is free and can help you trace a pension that you’ve lost track of, even if you don’t have the contact details of the provider.
All you need to know is the name of your previous employer or pension scheme. But if you can, collect as much information as you can find about the employer:
• any previous names it had
• the type of business it ran
• whether it changed address
• And when you belonged to the scheme.
You can also request contact details from the Pension Tracing Service:
Pension Tracing Service: Telephone: 0345 6002 537. They operate Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Find out about call charges: as they will apply.
Or write to: Pension Service 9, Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 1LU
**NB**
Can I just remind members that all information I gather for the newsletter is as accurate as I can make it at the time of publishing said newsletter; but it’s always up to the individual member to keep their details safe by double checking any information I’ve given out.
Also I always check on any information that’s given me to (a) see it’s accurate and (b) I never give out any personal details over the internet or by phone (or post for that matter) until I’ve made sure of who’s at the under end receiving the information.
STAY SAFE! CHEERS!
(Apologies to Age Scotland/SSE (Hydro)/Martin Lewis for any misquotes)
Mae Stewart
Provided by Mae Stewart, Editor UNISON Retired members Newsletter, Dundee, Perth and Angus. Please note that this is not definitive information about benefits but will provide a signpost as to where to get up to date information. Please check the sources first. UNISON Scotland can take no responsibility for information that may be outdated or inaccurate.