Can you get help with your home heating costs?
AS WINTER bares its teeth, now is the time to make sure you are claiming all the free help and support you can to keep your home warm during the cold months ahead. This is particularly important for the elderly, with nearly two million pensioners missing out on free support because they do not know what is available.
Those on low incomes can also benefit from a range of government schemes and get help from their utility suppliers. This is what is out there.
STAY WARM
The Affordable Warmth scheme helps with the cost of making homes more energy efficient, for example, by giving money towards loft or cavity wall insulation, or replacing or repairing old boilers.
It is open to both homeowners and private tenants who claim certain state benefits including pension credit, tax credits, attendance allowance and income support. Power giant Eon has been urging people to check if they are eligible and is now offering homeowners who qualify the chance to purchase a replacement A-rated gas boiler for only £240 including VAT.
This applies if your current boiler is faulty or broken, and is a saving of around £2,000 off the typical cost of installing a new gas boiler. It is open to both Eon and non-Eon customers.
Those who want to replace an old, inefficient gas boiler that still works, typically those from before 2005, can get up to £1,000 towards the cost.
Amanda Cumine, energy expert at switching service WeFlip.com, said Affordable Warmth is a benefit targeted at those who are in fuel poverty. “Households just above the threshold may also be eligible so ask your energy supplier,” she said.
CLAIM BENEFITS
More than a million older people who are entitled to state benefit pension credit fail to claim, in some cases missing out on thousands of pounds a year. The guaranteed credit part tops up your weekly income if below £163 for single people or £248.80 for couples.
Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams said there is another reason to claim it: “This is a gateway to other benefits such as the Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments.”
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off discount of £140 on your energy bill, payable between October and March. Rik Smith, energy expert at uSwitch.com, said: “Although it is targeted at those claiming pension credit many energy suppliers may also help customers on low incomes or otherwise vulnerable, but only if they apply for it.”
Not every energy supplier pays the Warm Home Discount. You can find a full list of those that do at Gov.uk
MERCURY FALLING
The Cold Weather Payment gives you £25 for each week that the temperature drops below zero Celsius for seven consecutive days between November 1 and March 31. Again, this is paid to those claiming certain benefits, with enrolment automatic.
The Winter Fuel Payment is typically paid in November and December and is worth between £100 and £300 for those born on or before November 5, 1953. You must also have lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 17 to 23, 2018, which is called the qualifying week. If you are unsure if you qualify, contact your local benefits office, Citizens Advice or Age UK, or visit government portal Gov.uk
HIGH PRIORITY
The elderly, disabled, chronically ill or those with children under the age of five may get help through their energy supplier’s Priority Services Register.
Smith said either you or a carer can register to access services such as advance notification of a planned power cut, priority help in an emergency such as an interruption to supply, and yearly gas safety checks. To register, contact your energy supplier.
SUPPLIER SCHEMES
Energy suppliers also run specific programmes, so ask what yours offers. “If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills your first port of call should always be your supplier,” Smith said.
British Gas supports customers with dementia, while its Energy Trust helps indebted customers and offers support for new energy-efficient appliances.
Eon offers benefit entitlement checks and access to hardship funds, while the EDF Energy Trust Fund helps customers in arrears.
Npower’s MacMillan Fund may cap bills or write off debts for customers living with cancer. Its Health Through Warmth scheme supports those with long-term health conditions and inadequate heating or insulation, and you don’t even have to be an Npower customer.
ScottishPower runs a hardship fund, SSE offers discounts on insulation and new A-rated condensing gas boilers if customers meet certain criteria, and Ovo runs a fund for customers behind on their energy payments. First Utility supports customers by arranging payment plans and connecting them with debt charity Step Change.
‘If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills your first port of call should always be your supplier’
KEEP COSY
Richard Longmore, managing partner of free home management site Hoppy.co.uk, said there are plenty of simple steps you can take to keep your house warm.
“Wrap up warm, plug draughts, close doors to rooms you do not use, draw the curtains at night and cover any fireplaces that aren’t being used. These can all stop crucial heat escaping your home,” he said.
Get Age UK’s free guide Winter Wrapped Up at AgeUK.org.uk/winter or by calling 0800 169 6565.