KEEPING WARM THIS WINTER - FINANCIAL HELP AND ADVICE
There are a variety of ways to get help with fuel bills and with grants for central heating, including repairs, and with insulation of your walls and loft.
- anyone over 70 can get FREE loft and cavity wall insulation, or an upgrade of existing insulation.
- if your fuel bills are over 10% of your income you can qualify for gas and electric rebates/discounts if you are receiving Pension Credit or other benefits.
- if you do not have central heating you may get a grant of up to £2700 to install it in your home.
Because of the variety of different schemes and because help depends on your income and savings, we recommend you contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre who can give you up-to-date advice on what is available for your situation.
Call free on 0800 512 012 to speak to an adviser in Southampton. Website: www.environmentcentre.com
You can also get similar advice and can search for grants on the web at: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
These agencies also provide advice on many energy-efficient ways to reduce your fuel bills and cut carbon emissions.
Most grants and discounts are only available if you are receiving a benefit such as Pension Credit and you are a homeowner or rent privately. If you are a Council Tenant you will need to contact your Housing Office. However you may be able to get a smaller grant for central heating repairs or towards installation if you are over 60 and on any income.
Many gas and electric suppliers are raising prices - some by up to 15% - so this is a good time to check if you are eligible for Pension Credit, Council Tax Discount or other benefits. Call Age Concern Southampton for a free, confidential and independent Benefit Check: 02380 368636.
If you do arrange for work on your central heating or insulation to be done the work will usually be carried out by a plumbing or building company. You will be told who to expect and the workers should have proper ID when they arrive.
WARM FRONT is a government funded grant initiative. You may be eligible for a grant of up to £2700 for central heating and insulation. You can call direct on 0800 316 2814 to speak to an Adviser, or go to: www.warmfront.co.uk (Or contact us at 02380 368636 for a leaflet.)
THE GAS AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANIES provide information and advice and may also give grants or discounts on your bill if you are receiving benefits. Contacts are: 0845 777 6633 for Southern Electric, Scottish Hydro Electric, SWALEC and Atlantic Electric and Gas. For British Gas 0845 605 2535; Scottish Power 0845 601 7836; Independent 0845 607 6415; EDF Energy 0800 096 9966; npower 0845 602 4696.
POWERGEN, who have an affinity scheme with Age Concern, 0800 479 0162.
If you can show that your energy bills are more than 10% of your income Southern Electric’s ‘energyplus care’ scheme may give you a discount of 20% off your bills. Contact 0800 300 111 or www.southern-electric.co.uk
The other gas/electric companies have websites which can be found using Google. You may need to search in depth to find details of grants and discounts. If there is a ‘search’ box on the website try entering ‘grants’ or ‘discounts’.
They also provide Free Annual Gas Safety Checks for home-owning pensioners receiving benefits. If renting it is the responsibility of the landlord.
Age Concern Southampton has many leaflets and application forms and also has copies of the government booklet “Keep Warm Keep Well”
You can call us at 02380 368636 or call in at 1 Saxon Gate, Back of the Walls, Southampton
For detailed and up-to-date advice on any of the grants and financial help do call the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre at 0800 512012