Is your home too cold and fuel bills still high?
‘Fuel Poverty’ is a situation currently faced by over 200,000 households in Scotland who pay over 10% of their disposable income on electricity and gas bills. Everybody has the right to a warm, comfortable home that doesn’t cost the earth to heat. It is for this reason that the Scottish Government has committed itself to eradicating fuel poverty in Scotland by 2016.
Fuel prices may well be beyond our control but this does not mean fuel poverty cannot be reduced. At Falkirk Council we are dedicated to meeting the Scottish Government's targets to eradicate fuel poverty and provide affordable warmth. Charities, fuel suppliers, dedicated organisations and the government itself are now offering a range of services and advice to tackle the problem…
Help is at hand!
Listed below are contact details for various organisations that may be able to help you have a warm home and reduce your bills.
Scottish Government Schemes
From 06 April 2009 the Scottish Government Warm Deal and Central Heating Programme was replaced with the Energy Assistance Package. The package has 4 stages.
Stage 1 – everyone who phones the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre will receive free expert energy advice.
Stage 2 – Those at risk of fuel poverty may be offered benefit and tax credit check and advice on low cost energy tariffs.
Stage 3 – Private Sector: you may qualify for a package of standard insulation measures (cavity wall and loft insulation) if you are a home owner or the tenant of a private landlord and you or your partner is :
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Aged 70 or over and you have no central heating or
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Aged 75 or over; or
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Receive a qualifying benefit
Stage 4 – You may qualify for enhanced measures if you are a home owner or the tenant of a private sector landlord and you or your partner is :
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Aged 60 or over and you have no central heating system in your home
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You are a home owner or the tenant of a private sector landlord and you live in an energy inefficient home and you or your partner :-
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is aged 75 or over
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is aged 60 or over and receives a qualifying benefit
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has a child under 16 and receives a qualifying benefit
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is pregnant and receives a qualifying benefit
To find out if you are eligible for free insulation or central heating please contact the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre on FREE PHONE 0800 512 012.
Energy Saving Scotland advice centre
This organisation is dedicated to achieving energy efficiency within the region.
A home energy check, based on individual circumstances, can be produced at your request detailing specific measures and grants suitable to your situation. They can also provide free energy advice and information on various energy related grants and loans.
They have a wealth of knowledge on renewable technologies and their SCHRI (Scottish Communities and Household Renewable Initiatives) Officer can discuss and guide you on a forthcoming project.
Phone 0800 512 012 (Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm). Email them at Sustainability@thewisegroup.co.uk|.
Fuel suppliers
All Utilities offer free energy efficiency advice.
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Scottish Power
0800 33 22 33
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Scottish Gas
0845 9650 650
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Scottish & Southern Energy (Scottish Hydro Electric)
0800 072 7201
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Npower
0800 022 220
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EDF Energy
0800 096 9966
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Eon
0845 301 4889
Warm Homes Discount Scheme (previously known as social tariff)
All energy providers have to offer a Warm Homes Discount Scheme to help their most vulnerable customers cope with the high costs of gas and electricity.
So if you are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of heating your home, contact your energy supplier and see if they can move you to a cheaper tariff. Each utility will have their own set of qualifying criteria.
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Scottish Power 0845 2700 700
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Scottish Hydro 0800 622 838
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Scottish Gas 0800 072 5230 or 0800 294 8604 (for pre payment customers)
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Npower 0800 975 1373
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EDF 0800 269 450
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E.On 0845 300 4382 or 0800 917 3352 (for customers aged over 60 yrs)
The Scottish Gas Energy Trust
This charitable fund can offer assistance to:
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reduce or clear arrears of gas or electricity debt
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help with other essential household bills and costs.
It should be noted that only current domestic customers of Scottish Gas may apply; to do so call: 01733 333383. More information is available from the Scottish Gas Energy Trust|.
The “E.on Caring Energy Fund” – aims to assist E.on customers who are low-income households facing financial difficulty and who may not be eligible for financial help from government schemes. They can offer the following assistance:-
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Payment in full or part to cover the cost of installing cavity wall insulation or loft insulation.
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Payment in full or part to cover the cost of repairing or installing heating measures which in some cases could include repair of unsafe gas heating systems.
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Payment in full or part could be made to cover the cost of household appliances, call 0800 051 1480
The “EDF Energy Trust Fund” - this charitable fund gives people who have electricity, gas, telephone and, other essential household bill debts, the offer of grants, financial advice or energy advice.
It should be notes that you must be a domestic customer of London Energy, Seeboard Energy, Sweb Energy or EDF Energy. Call 01733 421060
The “npower Energy Trust” – this is an independent trust which can help npower customers who are struggling to pay domestic energy debts.
To apply for help, you must complete the Trusts application form. You can apply on line
www.npowerenergytrust.org.uk| or telephone the Trusts Application Forms Request Line – 01733 421 060
Pension Service
The Pension Service offers a benefit check and advice service for pensioners. This helpline can be used by a client or their family. Contact on 0845 60 60 265. More information is available from the Pension Service|.
Age Scotland
Age Scotland - Combining Age Concern and Help The Aged, this helpline for older people can assist in accessing a variety of income maximisation/assistance options as well as impartial advice. Contact on 0845 125 9732 or visit www.agescotland.org.uk|
The Home Heat Helpline
This helpline is jointly funded by the six major energy supply companies. It offers advice on a wide range of issues such as insulation grants, benefits take up and whether special reduced rate tariffs would be available. Calls will also be accepted from third parties such as social workers and family members. Call 0800 33 66 99. More information is available from the Home Heat Helpline|.
Winter Fuel Payments
Winter Fuel Payments ~ If you have reached the qualifying age (born on or before 5 July 1951) you may be entitled to receive a Winter Fuel Payment. This year you will get between £100 and £300, depending on your circumstance in the qualifying week (19 to 25 September 2011). If you are aged 80 or over and you may be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, this year you will get between £150 and £300, depending on your circumstances in the qualifying week (19 to 25 September 2011). For further information on these payments call 0845 915 1515 or visit www.direct.gov.uk|
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can give you free advice and support if you are having problems paying your fuel bills. Just phone them or go into an office and they will be able to help. Sometimes you may need to make an appointment. Contact details for your local CABs are available|.
Falkirk Council's Community Advice Service
Falkirk Council's Community Advice Service can offer a wide range of services and advice. More information is available from the Community Advice Service|.
One Stop Shops
You can also get advice on benefits and debt from your local One Stop Shop. This is a "drop-in" service so just ask for the Council Services advisor. Contact details can be found on the One Stop Shops page|.