Over the last 5 years, energy prices have been rising and according to research by uSwitch.com household energy bills could reach as high as £4,733 a year by 2020.  The average household energy bill today is £1,243 a year that’s an increase of nearly four times.

 

So how can we help?

 

Our Climate Change Officer and Housing Strategy Support Officer can offer information and advice to you if you would like to make your home a warm and energy efficient place to live.  Where possible we would also like to reduce the risk of any resident falling into fuel debt or refraining from heating his home through fear of debt.

 

If you would like advice or support on this issue you can speak with our Housing Strategy Support Officer directly by calling 01354 602178 or you can look below for further information about what support could be available to you.

 

I would like to install loft or cavity wall insulation what should I do?

 

The 47 Local Authorities of the Eastern region have joined together to provide a region-wide single cost insulation package. The Eastern Carbon Reduction Initiative (CRI) is planned to give all homeowners and private tenants in the region affordable cavity wall and loft insulation by 2015.

 

Insulation can be as little as £149

or

 free if you receive a certain benefit

or

free if you are over 70

 

You can get an immediate obligation free quotation below by calling 0800 2321677 or emailing info@easterncri.org

 

You can find out whether or not you have cavity walls here: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Home-insulation-glazing/Cavity-wall-insulation/How-do-I-identify-whether-I-have-cavity-walls

 

I am in receipt of a benefit and I do not have any heating or hot water can I get a grant?

 

If you receive one of the benefits below you could be entitled to a central government grant to repair or replace your heating system:

 

1.      Householders aged 60 or over in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

• Income Support

• Council Tax Benefit

• Housing Benefit

• Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)

• Pension Credit

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

2.      Householders with a child under 16, or pregnant women with maternity certificate MAT-B1, in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

• Income Support

• Council Tax Benefit

• Housing Benefit

• Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)

• Pension Credit

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

3.      Householders in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

• Working Tax Credit (with an income of less than £16,040, which must include a disability element)

• Disability Living Allowance

• Child Tax Credit (with an income of less than £16,040)

• Housing Benefit (which must include a disability premium)

• Income Support (which must include a disability premium)

• Council Tax Benefit (which must include a disability premium)

• War Disablement Pension (which must include a mobility supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance)

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which must include Constant Attendance Allowance)

• Attendance Allowance

The Warm Front Grant provides a package of insulation and heating measures up to a maximum value of £3,500 (or £6,000 if oil central heating is involved), less the value of all works previously completed in the property under Warm Front since June 2000.

These measures can include one or more of the following:

• Gas central heating

• Cavity wall insulation (or equivalent)

• Loft insulation

• Oil central heating

• Draughtproofing

• Hot-water-tank insulation

• provide energy-efficient light bulbs

• Conversion of a solid fuel open fire to a glass fronted fire

To find out if you are eligible or to make an grant application please ring 0800 316 6011 or visit Warm Front website www.warmfront.co.uk

If you do not receive a qualifying benefit but think that you could be eligible, you can receive a free benefit entitlement check by calling 0800 072 9006.

I am an older person. Are there any concessions to which I am entitled?

 

Insulation

If you are over 70 you may be eligible for free loft and/or cavity wall insulation.  In the first instance, we would advise you to contact any of the following energy suppliers or agents who should be able to offer a free survey and installation.

 

Eastern CRI: 0800 2321677

British Gas: 0845 971 7731

EDF Energy: 0800 096 9966

E.ON: 0800 015 2475

Npower: 0800 980 2135

 

In most cases loft and cavity wall insulation will be free.  However, if you have some insulation already in the loft (usually over 60cm) or a very large loft the installer may only be able to offer discounted insulation. 

 

After surveying your loft the installer will leave you with a free no obligation quotation detailing the work to be undertaking which will include any cost for topping up insulation.

Heating repair or replacement

A £300 rebate off the cost of installing a new central heating system or repairs is available for people aged 60 who own or privately rent their home.

The £300 rebate, which forms part of the Warm Front Scheme, can only be used by householders who either have no heating system or one which is inoperable.

The £300 rebate will be available to all householders aged 60 or over who are not in receipt of a qualifying Warm Front benefit.

Applications can be made via the Eaga Contact Centre on 0800 316 6011. The voucher/ claim form is valid for three months from the date shown on the letter. If the voucher is not used within this time, it is possible to reapply.

Householders qualifying for funding will only be permitted to use installers approved by CORGI, NICEIC or OFTEC and who are registered with Eaga for the £300 Heating Rebate Scheme prior to work commencing.

If you have a local installer that you would like to use he must register online at Warm Front website, (see related links) before work commencing.  However, he does not need to be a registered installer for the main Warm Front scheme, as registration is only for the purposes of redeeming the vouchers.  http://web.eagagroup.com/heatingrebate/viewHomePage.do

Once the installation has been completed and the customer is satisfied, the installer will provide the client with an invoice for the works, showing a £300 deduction. The customer will then provide the installer with their signed voucher/ claim form to enable the installer to claim the rebate from Eaga.

Help with fuel bills

 

If you have reached the qualifying age you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter. This can be between £125 and £400 depending on your situation. Find out if you are eligible for this payment and how to apply.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Inretirement/DG_10018657

Or call 0845 915 1515

 

What assistance is available to ensure I’m not vulnerable during cold weather?

 

The Priority Service Register is a special service for elderly or disabled people and those living with long-term health conditions.  The Register provides you with the following benefits

Advice - Those accessing the register will benefit from free advice on using gas and electricity.

Password protection scheme- Consumers agree a unique password with their energy suppliers. Anyone calling at their home on behalf of the company will use the password to prove they are who they say they are If requested, an energy supplier will provide a personal password for gas and electricity staff to use every time they call at the person’s home, to confirm they are genuine.

Moving Prepayment meters -If it is safe and practicable, suppliers may move prepayment meters to a more accessible location.

Meter reading - If a customer is unable to read their electricity or gas meter their energy company will provide a free quarterly meter reading.

Bill nominee scheme - Bills can be sent to a friend, relative or carer so they can help to check it on their behalf.

Special help if a gas supply is disrupted - If All adults living in the property are eligible for the Priority Services Register, the supplier will provide alternative cooking and heating facilities when the supply is interrupted.

Advance notice if an electricity supply has to be interrupted - Customers, who rely on electricity to power vital medical equipment, can also get advance notice if the supply has to be interrupted for planned work.

Services for consumers with visual or hearing impairments - Suppliers can provide meter readings and bills, in a suitable format: Braille, large print, audio tape, textphone or typetalk. Suppliers can also help if the consumer wishes to make a complaint or enquiry.

Gas safety check - Consumers may be offered a free, annual gas safety check of appliances and other gas fittings if they are eligible for the Priority Service Register, own their home, receive an income based benefit and:

·                 Live alone

·                 Live with other adults, all of whom are eligible for free services

·                 Live with others, at least one of whom is under 5 years old

Moving credit meters - If a consumer has a disability which prevents them gaining access to their gas and/or electricity meter, the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) may be used to request having the meter moved. In addition special controls and adaptors can be provided if the customer has difficulty in using certain appliances.

Please note: The moving of credit meters is not an obligation of the priority services register

 

Call the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 who will refer you directly to the Priority Services Register If you have difficulty hearing you can use their minicom service on 0800 027 2122.

The Disconnection Safety Net is also in place to make sure that no vulnerable customer is knowingly cut off, even if they are unable to pay their bill. Call 0800 33 66 99 to find out more.

I am in debt with my fuel bills is there anyone who could help me?

Helpline

If you’re struggling to pay your fuel bill or worried how you’re going to stay warm, the Home Heat Helpline will make it easier for you to find the answers.

Anyone can phone us for FREE on 0800 33 66 99 and talk to our team of friendly expert advisors.  Or you can request a call back by visiting:

http://www.homeheathelpline.org.uk/contact-us/call-back-request

Some suppliers also have trust funds available to pay off fuel debt and to support local community projects. The Home Heat Helpline can give you more advice regarding trusts for fuel debt.

 

Local charitable trusts

 

If you are a customer of British Gas, EDF Energy or Anglian Water and you are in fuel debt you can also contact Charis Grants at 01733 421 021 http://www.charisgrants.com/ to request and application form for a grant to assist with paying off debt.  However, you may still want to contact the Home Heat Helpline to receive advice on national assistance.

 

Cold Weather Payment

 

If you're on a low income, a Cold Weather Payment may be available to help you for each week of very cold weather in your area. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Benefits/ConcessionsAndOtherHelp/DG_10018668

 

Social Tarrifs

All energy providers must offer social tariffs to help their most vulnerable customers cope with the high costs of gas and electricity. And according to new Ofgem rules, all social tariffs must equal the supplier’s cheapest deals. You can ask your energy company directly for information on their social tariff or call the Home Heat Helpline.

 

Links

Winter Fuel Payments http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Inretirement/DG_10018657

Cold Weather Payments http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Benefits/ConcessionsAndOtherHelp/DG_10018668

Charis http://www.charisgrants.com/

CRI http://www.easterncri.org/index.php

Energy Saving Trust http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

Warm Front www.warmfront.co.uk

Home Heat Helpline http://www.homeheathelpline.org.uk/

Warm Front installer portal http://web.eagagroup.com/heatingrebate/viewHomePage.do

Keep Warm Keep Well http://keepwarmkeepwell.direct.gov.uk/index.html

National Energy Action http://www.nea.org.uk/about-us-2/