Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is calling on its 750,000 customers, who are already signed up to receive additional assistance during a power cut, to check that their details are up to date.
Through the distribution network operator’s Priority Services Register (PSR), customers who may find themselves in a vulnerable situation during planned or unplanned power outages are offered free extra support, which varies according to the individual customer’s needs.
Just over three-quarters of a million SSEN customers across central southern England and the north of Scotland already benefit from the additional care and support available through SSEN’s PSR – including customers with a young baby at home, those over 60 and people who rely on electricity for home medical equipment.
Those customers are being asked to take a few minutes ahead of the winter months to check the information they initially used to register for the scheme, so SSEN can ensure they receive the specific and tailored care they need.
Networks Priority Services Manager, Louise Jones said:
“As recent high winds, rain storms and lightning across the north and south showed us, adverse weather – and with it the potential for power cuts – can happen at any time of the year and we want to make sure that when our PSR customers need us, we’re able to respond to their current and immediate needs.
“People’s health and circumstances can change with very little notice and we appreciate that updating their details on our Priority Services Register may not be at the forefront of their mind.
“Ahead of the winter months and the possibility of more severe weather, we’d like to ask our customers – who have signed up for PSR in the last few years and haven’t been in contact with SSEN since – to take a few minutes and check that their information and requirements in the event of a power cut are up-to-date, and that they still need additional assistance from SSEN.”
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Customers can check or update their details by going to www.ssen.co.uk/Update or calling the dedicated Priority Services Team on freephone number 0800 2943259.
Earlier this year, SSEN extended its PSR criteria to customers who may require additional help during the coronavirus pandemic, so those categorised at ‘high risk’ and ‘extremely high risk’ of severe illness from coronavirus are now eligible to sign up for additional support.
If you, a relative or friend are not yet signed up to SSEN’s PSR, meet the following criteria and would benefit from the free service, go to ssen.co.uk/PSR.
Customers are eligible for SSEN’s Priority Services Register if they:
- Are deaf or hard of hearing
- Have a disability
- Live with children under five
- Are blind or partially sighted
- Have a chronic illness
- Use medical equipment/aids reliant on electricity
- Are over 60
SSEN were useless the other day when we had a power cut here in Ventnor. I phoned the help line number 105 & entered my landline number. I couldn’t get to speak to someone as the phone just rang & rang. During the evening I had a series of text messages stating that “power has now been reconnected in Lyndhurst”, “The overhead power lines in Sandhurst have been damaged & a team are working on site to reconnect the power supply,Power has now been reconnected in Bulford” & the next morning I had another stating that “power is now restored in Raftyn” I still have no idea where Raftyn is but definitely none of them are on the Island. What a waste of time all that was!
Ditched them years ago.Terrible customer service and over priced!