Don't miss out on your share of thousands this winter
By Rachel Wait 06.02.2012
Thousands of households could be missing out on extra funding from the Warm Front energy scheme.
Fuel poverty is still on the rise too, with almost seven million UK households estimated to spend more than 10% of their income on fuel. The real danger lies with the elderly whose health and even lives could be at risk through inadequate heating in their homes.
Fortunately, there are schemes in place that many could be taking advantage of. And yet, despite this, up to 16,000 vulnerable households could be missing out on help from the government Warm Front scheme.
What is Warm Front?
Warm Front is the only government-funded scheme that tackles fuel poverty and improves energy efficiency in the poorest households in England*. But according to Consumer Focus and National Energy Action, around £30 million worth of grants could go unclaimed this year.
The scheme provides heating and insulation improvements to households on certain income-related benefits who live in poorly-insulated homes. If you qualify, you can get improvements worth up to £3,500 or even £6,000 if oil central heating and other alternative technologies are recommended. Grants are available for improvements including loft insulation, draught-proofing, cavity wall insulation, hot water tank insulation, heating and a glass-fronted fire.
"The best way to protect yourself from high energy bills is by making your home more energy efficient through insulating the loft and walls," explains Jenny Saunders, chief executive of National Energy Action. "The Warm Front Scheme is there to help if you are living in an un-insulated property and receive certain State benefits. It can also provide a new boiler if yours is broken down."
Consumer Focus says that the scheme was so popular last year it was over-subscribed. However, this year, the numbers applying have fallen dramatically. Compared to the 139,000 people who had applied at the end of December 2010, only 40,000 had applied at the end of 2011.
It's thought that this dramatic decline could be because the total money for the scheme was cut by more than two-thirds, from £366 million in 2010 to £143 million this year. Some people also wrongly believe the scheme has been scrapped and it's also become harder to qualify for the scheme. Milder weather may have also prevented people from applying.
Will I qualify?
You are eligible for Warm Front if you receive Pension Credit or income-related employment and support allowance, and if you receive income support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related employment and support allowance. You'll also need to have one of the following:
- A pensioner premium
- A disability or severe disability premium
- An award of child tax credit that includes an element for a disabled or severely disabled child or young children
- A child under the age of five living with you.
And don't forget, you must be living in a home that's poorly insulated.
Whether you qualify or not, it's worth going onto our energy comparison service to check if you could be saving money on your gas and electricity costs. One in five households saves £200 on their bills and its approved by Consumer Focus.
How can I apply?
To apply for a grant, you can apply online or email enquiry@carillionplc.com or call 0800 316 2805. You can also apply by post and you can find out more on the DirectGov site. The funding for this year ends on 31 March, so you do need to get your application in soon.
"We'd urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to put in a claim," says Audrey Gallacher, director of energy at Consumer Focus. "This help is free and can make a big difference in affording your energy bills and keeping warm and well."
*The scheme is called Warm Homes in Northern Ireland, the Energy Assistance Package in Scotland and NEST in Wales.