What is the priority services register?

The priority services register can help make life easier for you and your parents – especially if you are concerned about them coping if there is an interruption to their electricity, gas or water supply.

The priority services register is a free UK wide service which provides extra advice and support especially during periods when the gas, power or water supply is interrupted. In the UK, the national regulators (Ofgem and Ofwat) require all utility suppliers and network distribution companies to give special priority to any consumers who mighty be in vulnerable situations by developing and maintaining a Priority Services Register (PSR).

SIGN UP FOR THE PSR HERE

Are you or your parents eligible for the Priority Services Register?

It’s almost certain that your parents will be eligible for the PSR – but you, or your friends and neighbours might also be eligible. It is not means tested and is for anyone who:

• • is of pensionable age

• • has a disability or a chronic illness

• • has a hearing or visual impairment or additional communication needs

• • has a loss or impairment of smell

• • uses medical equipment reliant on electricity or water

• • needs documents translated into another format or language

• • has anxiety, depression or any mental health condition

• • lives with children under five

• • is in a temporary or ongoing vulnerable situation (this covers a wide range of circumstances such as an accident, periods of physical or mental illness, being a carer or living with pre school children)

The PSR can help you and your parents

Registering for priority services can help make life simpler and safer for you and yours.

The benefits to being on the PSR can include:

• • support and information during a power or gas supply interruption

• • connection to local emergency services

• • emergency power during prolonged supply interruptions

• • emergency heating and cooking equipment if the mains gas supply is interrupted for a prolonged period

• • nominee schemes allowing information and notifications to be sent to a preferred named contact such as a carer, family member or friend

• • advance warning of any supply interruptions;

• • priority support in emergencies;

• • bills and other literature in accessible formats

• • doorstep identification schemes for engineers –this usually entails a password system to identify legitimate callers and is likely to include “knock and wait” arrangement to give you time to  get to the door

Priority support in an emergency can be especially important for anyone who relies on electricity to operate a stair lift, breathing apparatus or other medical or monitoring equipment. If suppliers or network operators know about the risks, then they might even make alternative arrangements such as organising a temporary electricity generator.

More people could benefit from enrolling for the priority services register

Despite the benefits and concerted efforts to promote the PSR, studies around the country show that only around 30% of those eligible for the PSR are accessing the scheme, and in some areas the levels are much lower.

You can apply to the PSR on your parent’s behalf.

It is easy to register for priority services

Each electricity gas and water network operator has their own PSR and the available support services can vary.  Many companies pride themselves on going the extra mile for their customers. The operators vary by postcode. You can find your local operator – or the company networking power or gas to your parent’s home – and discover the extra services they offer at http://thepsr.co.uk.  The same link will take you to the relevant company’s registration form.

Be reassured that these companies and the national regulators ensure that all information is collected and stored according to the highest possible standards of data protection.