Heating payments to help the elderly
Older people face having to fork out an extra £397 a year from April, when the energy price cap - which has already gone up by 12 per cent - is due to rise by 51 per cent. But how can older people be supported in the upcoming energy hike?
Low temperatures can increase risk of illness, including heart attacks and stroke, flu, and pneumonia. You’re most at risk if you are 65 or older, have a long-term health condition such as heart disease, or have a disability.
It’s recommended that you heat your home to at least 18C. Heating costs quickly add up but you may be able to claim financial or practical help. Mobility specialists Middletons have compiled a list of some of the payments that the UK’S elderly may be entitled to.
Data from the Office for National Statistics and the House of Commons Library shows that older people spend an average of £15 a week on energy, compared with just £8 for those aged 30 to 49 and £7 for people under 30.
Over 65s tend to live in draughtier homes, with nearly a fifth of households with a person aged over 60 being in the three least energy-efficient bands compared with only ten per cent for others. The rate for those aged over 75 is even higher at 20 per cent. So it’s expected the new price hike will hit older Brits the hardest.
Winter Fuel Payment is a tax-free benefit. It’s not means-tested and is available to anyone if you were born on or before September 26 1955. You could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills.
Most people who are eligible will get it automatically, but you may need to claim it if you don’t receive any benefits or a state pension. To claim, call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre on 0800 731 0160. You’ll need to know your National Insurance number, your bank or building society details, and the date you were married (if applicable). You can find alternative ways to claim, including a postal address, on the Winter Fuel Payment website.
The amount you receive depends on your circumstances, including your age. For 2022/2023, you could get up to £200 if you’re aged up to 79. If you’re 80 or over, you could receive up to £300.
Cold Weather Payments are based on your benefits and the temperature in your area. If you’re eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, it will be paid automatically.
You may be able to get the payment if you’re
receiving Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loan.
This payment is made during periods of very cold weather. It’s paid if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days. This year, the scheme runs from November 1 2022 to March 31 2023. You’ll get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather.
The Affordable Warmth Obligation is a government scheme that was set up to help those on low incomes keep their homes warm.
Under the scheme, the largest domestic energy suppliers must fund certain improvements to the homes of some consumers. If you claim certain benefits and live in private housing, or if you live in social housing, you might be able to get help for energysaving improvements to your home. These can include insulation improvements like cavity wall or loft insulation and boiler replacements or repairs. You can find more information on Each Home Counts website.
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off discount of £140 off your electricity bill for the winter months between October and March. There are two ways to qualify. You’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you receive the Guaranteed Credit element of pension credit.
You may also be eligible if you’re on a low income.
In this case, your energy supplier decides who gets the discount.
To find out if you qualify, you should contact your energy supplier as soon as possible. Lots of energy suppliers are part of the scheme, including many of the smaller suppliers.
To find out more about the financial help and benefits available to help you keep warm and well this winter, see the leaflet at https://tinyurl.com/ yckmrrwh site for the over
60s, low-income families, and people living with a disability.
Our community campaign Heat & Eat aims to inform our readers about current cost of living issues, how to best address the problems, and how to help those who face extreme poverty.