Energy bill support schemes and grants you could claim this winter | Personal Finance | Finance
One third of households are already struggling to pay energy bills as new figures out today show the number of households in fuel poverty will skyrocket to 8.4 million from April. This is “a crisis” and nearly double the 4.5 million figure from last October, according to National Energy Action. Cash-strapped Britons are being urged to be as energy efficient as possible and to check if they could be eligible for a number of energy bill support schemes and grants to help with the cost of living.
Adam Scorer, Chief Executive at National Energy Action, appeared on Good Morning Britain earlier today and said it’s a “wicked problem” that people are struggling to stay warm this winter.
He said: “There are so many people caught up with the challenge to afford their bills and there are a number of things that need to happen.
“The first is, that for those on the lowest incomes, this is a crisis. This is a crisis where nothing else is going to help other than targeted financial support from Government rather than suppliers.
“That’s the first thing – it has to happen more this winter – it’s going to have to happen next winter.”
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Mr Scorer said that now is the time to tackle energy efficiency so that fuel poverty can be avoided in the future but people also need short-term solutions to help survive the current crisis.
He added: “We need to have energy efficiency that could build fuel poverty out of our homes. In the short term, I would say that people go to their supplier, if they’re in debt or if they’re in fear of debt, to talk to them and be honest about what you’re able to pay.
“Make sure you’re getting all the support that’s available from your supplier, from Government and from local charities.”
All households should have started to receive cost of living support payments worth £400 but those on the lowest incomes should have also received £650 in two instalments to help towards energy bills this winter.
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Struggling households may also be due a Warm Homes Discount Scheme payment of £150 – usually credited to energy bills before the end of March.
On top of this, a Cold Weather Payment of £25 is paid to those on a low income every time the temperature drops to zero or below for seven consecutive days.
Britons could also claim five Government grants to help save thousands on energy bills such as cavity wall insulation for private homeowners or renters.
Dan Whittaker, Personal Finance Expert at CashLady.com, said: “The Energy Company Obligation is a government initiative that makes energy companies responsible for helping customers heat their homes. This applies to those customers who are vulnerable, fuel poor or on low incomes.”
He continued: “Each energy company has a target to meet according to their share of the energy market; so bigger companies will be able to offer more help than smaller companies.”
“The ways in which the energy companies will help vary from loft insulations to upgrading heating systems.
“You must be a homeowner and be in receipt of at least one of the qualifying benefits. If you think that this applies to you, then call your energy company and ask them about ECO.”
Britons may also be able to claim a Green Deal Loan or Boiler Upgrade Scheme or other Government grants designed to help people make homes as efficient as possible.
Five Government grants people could apply for:
