The Warm Front scheme can fund thermostat-controlled heating
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Cold weather has put the issue of energy bills back in the spotlight - and a boiler scrappage scheme in England has brought more assistance for some households. But with average household energy bills now totalling more than £1,000 a year, many people might be worried about paying their fuel bills this winter. This guide outlines what help is available.
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KEY NUMBERS
Government helpline: 0800 512 012
Home Heat helpline
0800 33 66 99
Consumer Direct
08454 04 05 06
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As well as the general help listed here, suppliers often offer grants, special tariffs and other measures on a case-by-case basis.
If you are having trouble paying your bill you should check with your supplier to find out what help is available from them.
GOVERNMENT PAYMENTS
HOME ENERGY SAVING PROGRAMME What is it? A way of providing assistance to householders to make their homes more energy-efficient. All low-income and pensioner households are entitled to free loft and cavity insulation. Everyone else can get half-price insulation. The government estimates that six million households will be able to benefit by the end of 2011 and aims to insulate all Britain's homes by 2020. How do I apply? Call the government helpline number above for more details.
COMMUNITY ENERGY SAVING PROGRAMME What is it? A new service to be provided by local councils, voluntary organisations and energy companies. They will target some of the most deprived areas of the UK, carrying out house-to-house calls to offer help. How is this being funded? This new initiative and the Home Energy Saving Programme mentioned above are being funded by energy firms, including electricity generating companies. New legislation will require them to come up with £910m to pay for the schemes. How can I find out if I am eligible? Call the government's helpline number listed above.
WINTER FUEL PAYMENT What is it?
A tax-free annual benefit, it is usually paid from November. Who is eligible?
Those aged 60 or over and who normally live in the United Kingdom. How much?
How much you get varies according to personal circumstances. In 2008-9, the government is increasing the payments to £250 for over-60s, and to £400 for over-80s. How to apply?
If you have not had the payment before and are not getting a state pension or another benefit (apart from housing benefit, council tax benefit or child benefit), the payment will not be automatic: you need to apply. You can get a claim form by calling 08459 151 515.
Or see this page on the Direct.Gov website.
COLD WEATHER PAYMENT What is it?
The payment is made when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0C (32F) or below over seven consecutive days. Who is eligible?
You are entitled if you receive the following: • pension credit • income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance and there is a child aged under five in your family • pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium • a disability premium or severe disability premium • a disabled child premium or a child tax credit that includes an individual element for a child or qualifying young person who is disabled or severely disabled How much?
A one-off payment of £8.50. The government has said this will increase to £25 this winter if conditions are "severe". How to apply?
The payment is made automatically.
OTHER GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
WARM FRONT ENGLAND What is it?
A grant scheme in England providing heating and insulation in privately owned or rented homes.
Depending on an applicant's needs, it will pay for things such as loft insulation, draught proofing, gas room heaters with thermostat controls, gas, electric or oil central heating. Energy advice and two low-energy light bulbs are also available. Who is eligible?
You may get a grant if you get one or more of the following benefits: • working tax credit (with an income of less than £15,460 and which must include a disability element) • child tax credit (with an income of less than £15,460) • attendance allowance • disability living allowance • income support (must include a disability premium) • housing benefit (must include a disability premium) • council tax benefit (must include a disability premium) • war disablement pension (must include a mobility supplement or a constant attendance allowance) • industrial injuries disablement benefit (must include constant attendance allowance) • you have a child under 16, or are pregnant, and get income support or council tax benefit or housing benefit or income-based jobseeker's allowance or pension credit • you are aged 60 or over and get pension credit, or council tax benefit, or housing benefit or income-based jobseeker's allowance How much?
Grants range up to £2,700 - or up to £4,000 if your home needs oil central heating. How to apply?
You will need to complete an application form before an adviser visits you to assess and recommend work for your property. Call 0800 316 2805.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE PACKAGE SCOTLAND What is it?
Support to cut heating bills, plus there are a range of free or discounted energy saving measures for eligible households including new boilers, heating systems, loft and cavity wall insulation and draught-proofing. Grants of up to £6500 for eligible rural households not on the gas grid to install air source heat pumps - a "plug in" green energy device. Who is eligible?
Includes people who are aged 60 or over, those currently receiving benefits, pregnant people. Parents with a child aged under five, have a disabled child under 16, or live in a residential mobile home can also apply. How much?
Various amounts. How to apply?
Telephone 0800 512012.
HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY SCHEME IN WALES What is it?
Provides grants for energy efficiency measures - such as loft insulation, low energy light bulbs and gas room heaters - and energy advice. Who is eligible?
Those in receipt of the following benefits and have a child under 16, or are pregnant: • income support • working tax credit (with an income of less than £15,460) • council tax benefit • child tax credit (with an income of less than £15,460) • housing benefit • income-based jobseeker's allowance How much?
Up to £2,000. How to apply?
Telephone 0800 316 2815.
HEES plus in Wales What is it?
Aimed at owner-occupiers or private tenants in Wales, it provides grants for energy efficiency measures and gives tailored energy efficiency advice. Who is eligible?
People aged 60 or over, or one-parent families with a child under 16, and in receipt of one or more of the following: • income support • housing benefit • council tax benefit • state pension credit • income-based job seeker's allowance OR Householders who are disabled or chronically sick, and in receipt of one or more of the following: • working tax credit • housing benefit • income support • council tax benefit, plus the disability element • disability living allowance • attendance allowance • industrial injuries disablement benefit, plus constant attendance allowance • war disablement pension plus constant attendance allowance • attendance allowance • mobility supplement OR Householders with children under 16 living in the property, who are claiming child benefit with the child receiving disability living allowance. How much?
Up to £3,600. How to apply?
Telephone 0800 316 2815.
NORTHERN IRELAND WARM HOMES SCHEME What is it?
Funded by the Department for Social Development, it is aimed at owner-occupiers and people who rent their homes from private landlords in Northern Ireland. It is not available for public sector properties. The fund gives a grant for a package of energy efficiency and heating measures. Who is eligible?
Householders of any age (the applicant or their spouse) who have a child under the age of 16 and who are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits: • housing benefit • rate rebate • income support • income-based job seeker's allowance • child tax credit • expectant mothers in receipt of a Maternity certificate (MAT B1) and one of the above benefits OR Householders under 60 (the applicant or their spouse) who are in receipt of one or more of the following disability-related benefits: • disability living allowance • housing benefit (with disability premium) • rate rebate (with disability premium ) • income support (with disability premium) • working tax credit (with disability premium) and NHS tax exemption certificate • war disablement pension (with mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance) • industrial injuries disablement benefit (with constant attendance allowance) How much?
Up to £850. How to apply?
Telephone 0800 181 667.
WARM HOMES PLUS - NORTHERN IRELAND What is it?
In addition to the warm homes scheme, includes measures such as installing new central heating systems. Who is eligible?
Householders who are 60 years and over and are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits: • rate rebate • housing benefit • pension credit • income-based job seeker's allowance • attendance allowance • disability living allowance • working tax credit (with disability premium) and NHS tax exemption certificate • industrial injuries disablement benefit (with constant attendance allowance) • war disablement pension (with mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance) How much?
Up to £4,300. How to apply?
Telephone 0800 181 667.
ENERGY SUPPLIER FUNDS
E.ON CARING ENERGY FUND Aims to assist E.On customers who are low-income households facing financial difficulty and who may not be eligible for financial help from government schemes. Can offer the following assistance: • payments in full or part to cover the cost of installing cavity wall insulation and/or loft insulation • payments in full or part to cover the cost of repairing or installing heating measures which in some cases could include repair of unsafe gas heating systems • payments in full or part could be made to cover the cost of household appliances Telephone 0800 051 1480.
EDF ENERGY TRUST FUND A charity that gives grants to people who have electricity, gas, telephone and, in some cases, other essential household bill debts. Funded by EDF, it gives grants, and financial and energy efficiency advice. You must be a domestic customer of London Energy, Seeboard Energy, Sweb Energy or EDF Energy. There are two types of grants. They are for: • individuals to cover the payment of gas and electricity debts and other essential household bills or costs • voluntary organisations working in the field of money advice, debt counselling or energy efficiency advice Telephone 01733 421060
BRITISH GAS ENERGY TRUST The British Gas Energy Trust, which incorporates the Scottish Gas Energy Trust, gives grants to help individuals and families in need to meet arrears of energy charges and other household bills and costs. You must be a domestic customer of British Gas or Scottish Gas. Can help with: • arrears of domestic gas/electricity charges • other essential domestic bills and costs. You can apply for such help even if you do not apply for help with your gas/electricity charges Telephone 01733 421060
SCOTTISH POWER ENERGY PEOPLE TRUST Organisations and groups can apply for funding to support projects or schemes covering: • crisis funding, such as women and children needing emergency accommodation and vulnerable young people setting up their first home • benefits health checks or income maximisation. For example, helping households that are not claiming all the benefits to which they are entitled • energy efficiency measures • research Telephone 0141 568 2000
If you are having trouble paying your bill you should check with your supplier to find out what help is available. Many offer grants, and/or special tariffs and other measures.
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