Affordable Warmth

Cold and damp homes, which are inadequately heated and insulated, have repeatedly been linked to ill health and early deaths amongst the most vulnerable people in society.  Cold and damp homes can lead to children losing days at school. This can affect their examination results and put them at a disadvantage in their future lives.

A person may be fuel poor if they are below average income and have higher that average heating costs to meet their needs. There is no single cause of fuel poverty; it arises from a combination of 3 main factors. These are low household income, poor heating and thermal insulation standards to properties and high fuel costs.

The good news is that there are many schemes in place that can support people to insulate their homes, get advice on the cheapest electricity and gas provision and better understand how much energy they are using.

Very Brief Intervention

Ask

How easily do you find it to keep your home warm, particularly in cold/winter periods?

How easy or difficult is it for you to afford your energy bills?

If you find it difficult, have you ever had any advice on how you can reduce them?

Are you aware of the schemes that exist to keep your home from losing the heat you use?

Did you know that your local council may be able to provide free support and advice on how you can cut the cost of heating your home depending on your circumstances?

Assist

Did you know that you may be able to save money on your energy bills* just by switching your gas and electricity supplier (or asking your current supplier if you are on their cheapest rate) - particularly if you haven't switched supplier in the last 2 years, would you like some information on this?

* Average saving estimated by OFGEM as £158 by switching to the cheapest deal on the market (From HM Government, A simple guide to accessing help and information 'Helping consumers with energy)

Did you know that you can check if you are entitled to any support towards making your home more energy efficient, would you like some further information on this?

Act

Self Care

Register for priority service from your energy supplier

You might be able to get extra support from your energy supplier by signing up to the priority services register if you:

  • are disabled or seriously ill
  • are recovering from an injury
  • have mental health problems
  • don’t speak or read English well
  • have children under 5, or are pregnant
  • have reached your state pension age
  • are in a vulnerable situation

Benefits of priority service can include free energy saving advice.  A password protection scheme to protect you from cold-callers.  Your meter moved free of charge if it’s hard for you to use or read.  Bills sent to a relative, carer or friend to help you check them. You might also get advance notice if your supply is going to be interrupted, priority re-connection if your supply is interrupted.  You may also get annual gas safety checks.  Find out more on the Ofgem priority services register website.

To find out if you’re eligible to join the priority service register, speak to your energy supplier.

If you don't know who your current gas and electricity supplier is, this can be checked by contacting:

    • For Gas - Meter Point Reference Line - 0870 6081524
    • For Electricity - Northern Powergrid - 0845 0707172

Energy suppliers priority service

Pension Credit Toolkit

Use this collection of materials to help older people understand how they could get Pension Credit.

 This toolkit is for anyone who works with pensioners. Use it to help older people understand how they may get extra money every week by:

  • increasing understanding in your organisation
  • helping your customers find out if they could get Pension Credit

The toolkit contains:

  • guidance to help you understand Pension Credit
  • information to help you support someone applying for Pension Credit
  • common reasons why pensioners don’t claim
  • ideas for events and dealing with the media
  • useful contacts

The Pension Credit toolkit can be accessed here: Pension Credit toolkit - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Apply for energy bill discounts and benefits

See if you are be eligible for three heating related benefits:

  • One-off £150 discount off your electricity bill with the Warm Home Discount Scheme. 

  • If you’re eligible, your energy supplier will apply the discount to your bill. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.

    This should be paid direct to you if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income and have high energy costs.

    You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter. Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.

    To find out if you qualify you contact your energy supplier directly.

  • £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025 with the Winter Fuel Payment. You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits. You will not get the extra Pensioner Cost of Living Payment given in 2022 and 2023. It stopped in winter 2023.
  • Extra help if temperatures fall below a certain level with the Cold Weather Payment.

Struggling to pay for your gas and electricity?

The price of gas and electricity has increased greatly over recent weeks. If you are worrying about what to do, did you know that there is support available to help you during this time?

You can contact your supplier, to discuss ways to help pay what you may owe. This should be made affordable to you based on your budget. Your energy supplier may have support funds available.

British Gas - British Gas Energy Trust

  • They offer a number of schemes to help people who are in arrears. You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply.

Octopus Energy - Octo Assist Fund

  • To apply you would need to be an Octopus Energy customer and are currently struggling with your bills.

OVO - OVO Energy Fund

  • You have to either be an existing OVO customer or previous customer. This is designed for people in debt of over £150 and unable to pay their bills

Scottish Power - Scottish Power Hardship Fund

  • If you are an existing customer of Scottish Power and having difficulties paying your bills you may be able to get additional support.

National Energy Action - NEA – 0800 3047159 Monday to Friday 10am to 12pm. 

  • A charity who specialise in assisting people with help with energy debt.  Giving benefits advice and making the most of your income. Support with gas and electricity accounts including fuel debt and switching suppliers and helping with energy efficiency.  They can also help you apply for trust fund money, Water rates, Warm Home Discount and Priority Services Register details.

If you need extra financial support, you can contact:

Money Advice Service - 0800 1387777 

National Debtline - 0808 8084000

Citizens Advice - 0808 2231133

Step Change - 0800 1381111 

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Preparing for Colder Weather

  • From keeping your house warm to protecting yourself from common ailments, find out how to stay healthy this winter on NHS Choices.
  • Tips for staying warm and well this winter

The UK Health Security Agency has advice on staying well in the cold weather, covering issues such as financial help, healthy lifestyle, flu jabs and heating.

  • Cold Weather Alerts will keep you safe and well this winter by keeping you informed

The Cold Weather Alert operates in England from the 1 November to 31 March every year, in association with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). The alerts give you advanced warning of adverse weather conditions that could have a significant effect on your health and well-being, enabling you to take extra precautions to keep safe and well. Sign up here.

Local Support and Contact Details