The energy watchdog Consumer Focus says the number of households currently in ‘fuel poverty’ – in other words, spending more than 10% of their total income on heating – is as high as five million. However there are some simple things you can do to keep warm and stay healthy. Many people are also missing out on financial help with heating bills and for home improvements. Borough Life finds out what’s available.
Help is at hand to provide warm homes this winter
Keep warm at home
- If you can’t heat all your rooms make sure you keep your living room warm throughout the day and heat your bedroom before going to bed.
- Set the timer on your heating to come on before you get up and switch off when you go to bed.
- In very cold weather, rather than turn the thermostat up, set the heating to come on earlier so you won’t be cold while you wait for your home to heat up.
- Try to keep a temperature of above 18°C (65°F) in your bedroom overnight.
- If you use a fire or heater in your bedroom during winter, open the window or door a little at night for ventilation.
- An electric blanket or a hot water bottle will help you keep warm but never use them together as you could electrocute yourself.
Reduce your energy bills
By following some simple energy-saving tips, you can reduce your bills:
- shut outside doors and close curtains at night.
- boil only the water you need rather than filling the kettle completely.
- don’t leave appliances like televisions in stand-by mode as they still use electricity; instead, switch them off properly at the set’s ‘off’ switch.
Please do not ignore your electric or gas bill. If you’re anxious about it do contact your energy supplier before it mounts up.
Winter Fuel Payments
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help people aged 60 and over with their winter heating bills.
If you are aged 60 to 79 and you are entitled to receive a Winter Fuel payment, you will get either £125 or £250.
If you are aged 80 or over and you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, you will either get £200 or £400, depending on your circumstances in the qualifying week.
Payments are usually made by the Pension Service from mid-November onwards.
For further information call the helpline on 08459 151515
Other financial help
You may be entitled to claim the following benefits to help you with your bills.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit guarantees everyone aged 60 and over an income of at least £124.05 a week if you are single and £189.35 a week if you have a partner.
Contact: The Pension Credit Helpline 0800 991 234
Attendance Allowance
This is for people aged 65 or over who have a physical or mental health problem and need help or supervision with personal care, for example, dressing or washing. It is not income or savings based.
Contact: The Pension Service Helpline on 0845 60 60 265
Carer’s Allowance
This is a benefit for people who are caring for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week.
The benefit cannot be paid if you are already receiving a state pension of more than £50.55 but you should still claim as this may increase your Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
Contact: The Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 882 200
Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Housing Benefit provides help towards rent. Council Tax Benefit can reduce the amount of council tax you pay. How much you receive depends on your income, savings, the level of rent and council tax.
Contact: The council’s benefits office on 01942 828644.
Could you qualify for housing or council tax benefit? For an instant, online assessment, visit Wigan QuickCalc (external link)
QuickCalc can help you decide whether to make a claim.
A Warm Front is on its way
If you own your home, or rent it from a private landlord, you may be able to claim a grant of up to £2,700 for heating improvements under the Warm Front Scheme.
The following people may be able to claim a grant under Warm Front:
- Householders aged 60 or over who are getting one or more benefits such as Income Support, Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based) or Pension Credit.
- Householders who have a child under 16, or are pregnant and have been given a maternity certificate MAT B1, and are also getting one or more of the same benefits.
- Householders getting other benefits such as Working Tax Credit, Disability Living Allowance, Child Tax Credit, War Disablement Pension, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and Attendance Allowance.
For further details contact the Warm Front helpline on 0800 316 2805 or apply online at Warm Front (external link)
Cavity wall insulation... keeps valuable heat in, and some grants are available to help householders.
Another satisfied customer
When Mildred Bannister’s boiler broke down after 21 years she was left with no heating or hot water.
Mrs Bannister, 75, from Aspull, had an expensive quote for the repairs, and was worried about how she could afford to have them done.
She contacted her local Energy Saving Trust advice centre, who referred her to Warm Front.
And, after a central heating system survey, she was awarded the full grant of £2700 which covered the cost of having a new replacement boiler fitted.
There was an inspection after the work was complete, which identified some minor repairs that were needed and these were fixed straight away.
Mrs Bannister said: “I was really pleased with the service from Warm Front. After 21 years, my old boiler started banging and it was a bit frightening. The water was just lukewarm.
“I’d got a leaflet from Warm Front and told them my circumstances, and it couldn’t have been easier. They did everything for me without any fuss and now the water gets red hot within ten minutes. They were so helpful and I really would recommend this to anyone in my position to see if they fit the bill.”
Saving heat is a top priority at home
Around half of all heat produced in your home is lost through the walls and roof, so insulation is one of the most effective ways of improving the energy efficiency of your home and reducing your heating bills.
The government and utility companies now provide grants or offers for cavity wall insulation and loft insulation, which are available to all – regardless of circumstances. And if you are over 70 years of age or are in receipt of an income or disability related benefit on a qualifying list, then these measures are completely free of charge.
For further information and for free, independent energy advice, call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 (freephone) or 0161 242 5819 (from mobile phones).
Who to contact for more help
The following local organisations can all help if you’re struggling with your heating bills.
- Age Concern: Wigan, tel: 01942 241972 and Leigh tel: 01942 607337.
- Citizens Advice: If you’re having difficulty with fuel bills: 01942 267962.
Email: fuelpoverty@wigancab.org
General advice: 08701 264459.
- Wigan Independent Advice Centre: 01942 324851.
