The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Partnership gives free energy advice
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution and Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) are urging people to take advantage of free energy advice this winter.
They say a “first of its kind” partnership between them continues to prove a success in the north and north-east, with Ssenfunded energy advisers supporting households seeking expert advice since July 2019 and putting more than £225,000 back into the community.
The advisers provide energy efficiency advice, as well as referrals to the Warm Home Discount Scheme and Home Energy Scotland (Hes) for loans, grants, incentives and benefit checks.
They also refer eligible customers to SSEN’S priority services register, providing additional support to those who need it most.
Energy firm SSE – whose Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution, Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission, Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution and Southern Electric Power Distribution subsidiaries all fall under the SSEN umbrella – said the expert advisers had so far helped more than 820 clients across Shetland, the Western Isles, Aberdeenshire, Caithness, Sutherland and the Stirling area, “keeping vital money in their pockets with free, impartial and bespoke energy advice”.
The most recent Ssenfunded post, set up at Stirling Citizens Advice Bureau (Cab), is a result of an increase in the number of people facing financial difficulty during the coronavirus pandemic and a “drastic” rise in those suffering from fuel poverty, SSE said.
It added: “Both organisations are working in partnership to identify and support families and elderly people living in fuel poverty.”
Simon O’loughlin, stakeholder engagement manager, SSEN, said: “We
are delighted to be working with Citizens Advice Scotland, helping people to stay warm and save money for a second winter.
“Critically, we recognise that anyone experiencing fuel poverty is likely to be experiencing financial difficulties in other respects too.
“Partnering with Citizens Advice Scotland allows our customers to get a wide range of help and advice to help financially and with wellbeing in many areas of life, not just energy.”
Project co-ordinator and outreach worker Laura Hutchison said: “I am extremely grateful to SSEN and Cab for having a deep understanding of rural fuel poverty issues.
“This understanding has enabled me to go out in the community and support the most vulnerable people.
“Fuel poverty is a major concern in Scotland, especially as we are now in the coldest part of the year.
“It is my duty and hope
that I can help individuals keep their home warm, and assist them with their fuel and financial difficulties.”
SSEN is responsible for operating and maintaining the electricity distribution networks supplying more than 3.8 million homes and businesses across many parts of Scotland, as well as central southern England.
It is also in partnership with Hes, which is funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust, to offer customers free and impartial expert energy efficiency advice to help them save money and keep warm in their homes all year round.
For more information, or to self-refer for additional support, visit ssen.co.uk/ energyadvice
A household is considered fuel-poor if after housing costs have been deducted, more than 10% (20% for extreme fuel poverty) of their net income is required to pay for their
reasonable fuel needs; and after further adjustments are made to deduct childcare costs and any benefits received for a disability or care need, their remaining income is insufficient to maintain an “acceptable” standard of living.
The 2019 Fuel Poverty (Targets, Definition and Strategy) (Scotland) Act defines an acceptable standard of living as being at least 90% of the UK minimum income standard, which is used to calculate the Living Wage.
Figures released by the Scottish Government last year revealed one in four households in Scotland, or more than 600,000 homes, fell into its fuel poverty definition.
Recent research by Yougov for Cab found 15% of people running out of money before payday since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic have missed at least one payment for their household energy bills.