AWARM is our fuel poverty service, providing advice and support to help our residents to overcome the barriers of low income and high fuel costs and stay healthy, safe and warm at home.
What services are available
- Help to improve the energy efficiency of your home
- Support to access funded home improvements, such as heating system upgrades, and loft and wall insulation measures (subject to the available grant funding schemes, and your housing tenure)
- Benefit entitlement checks, including one-to-one support to apply for additional benefits
- Wider support to help lower energy bills and usage, or combat fuel debt, through the AWARM collaboration partners.
Who is eligible for assistance
To be eligible for AWARM support, households will need to meet the following criteria:
- You are in receipt of income-related benefits, or have a gross household income lower than £36,000 per year
- You have inadequate heating or insulation, and/or suffer with a health condition that is affected by living in a cold, damp home.
Please note: Qualifying for AWARM assistance does not mean that you will automatically qualify for the relevant grant funding schemes, which will set their own requirements in relation to things like household income and EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) banding.
What about housing tenure
Your housing tenure will be considered and may limit the support available through AWARM, and/or grant funding schemes. For example, although private homeowners (who are responsible for maintaining and improving their own home) can be straightforwardly assessed for grant funding, for those who live in rented housing (whether social or private) there are extra considerations in relation to maintenance responsibilities, and obtaining consent for works (from the landlord).
Specifically, in relation to heating inefficiencies, breakdowns and repair issues:
- Private tenants will be directed to report these concerns to their landlord and/or managing agent. If you have reported your concerns and no action has been taken, you can get help by contacting our Housing Standards Team
- Wigan Council tenants can report a repair through their online Housing Account or by calling our contact centre on 01942 489005
- Housing association tenants will be asked to report their concerns to their landlord. For most associations, repairs can be reported online, over email, or telephone. If you are unsure who your landlord is, check who you pay your rent to.
How can I make contact?
Use our online referral form to apply for the AWARM service. This can be completed directly by residents, or by professionals and support agencies acting on their behalf (referrers will be asked to provide their details).
If you prefer to speak to the team, please call on 01942 404261.