ISLANDERS struggling with utility, housing or food bills this winter will be able to seek advice through a new online network.
Jersey’s utility companies are joining forces with several charities to offer help to those with financial difficulties during the cost-of-living crisis, providing links and contact details of all the companies taking part with the aim of enabling vulnerable Islanders to reach the support they need more easily.
The platform is being co-ordinated by Jersey Electricity, which is working alongside Jersey Water, JT, Andium Homes, Citizens’ Advice Jersey, Age Concern, the Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society, Jersey Consumer Council and the Government of Jersey.
Jersey Electricity head of marketing and communications Stuart Murphy said: ‘Jersey Electricity has always offered support to those struggling with energy bills. By partnering with other organisations in this innovative way, we hope to make that help and support more widely known. We’ve launched a free MyJE app, which has helped thousands of customers to reduce their bills.’
Assistant Social Security Minister Malcolm Ferey welcomed the new collaboration. He said: ‘Having trusted sources to assist with our communications is key to ensuring that as many people as possible can claim to take some of the pressure off their household budgets.’
Deputy Ferey also pointed to the increased Community Costs Bonus – an annual payment of £515.50 which was recently agreed in the government’s mini-budget – to help households that are just above the income support level with the cost of GST on food.
Jersey Water chief executive Helier Smith said: ‘We are delighted to be working together with the other utility companies to help support vulnerable Islanders.
‘We are all acutely aware of the impact of the rising cost of living on Islanders, and any Jersey Water customer worried about paying their bill is encouraged to contact our customer services team.’
Citizens’ Advice Jersey chief executive Claire Mulcahy was pleased that it would be easier for people to access the free advice they needed more easily.
She said: ‘We welcome the spirit of co-operation and collaboration among leading Island organisations to support customers in debt.’
JE’s support network page is at jec.co.uk/customersupport.
