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winter tips, advice and support
Here you’ll find some useful information to help keep you well and your home warm and safe this winter.
The improvements can also make energy bills less than they would be without the work.
We want all 18,000 of our homes have an EPC (energy performance certificate) C rating by 2030.
To do this, we must target homes which are currently rated EPC D or below.
We are contacting customers whose home could be eligible for work. Surveys are carried out to determine what measures should be taken, before the work is completed.
Keeping Your Home Warm
It’s important you feel able to heat your home, to protect your and your family’s health.
Here are some useful tips on how to keep your home warm, but reduce your energy use this winter: Energy saving tips
Specialist organisations can provide further help and advice.
If you are struggling with your energy bills, contact your energy supplier as soon as possible. Ofgem’s rules mean they must work with you to agree on a payment plan you can afford.
They may also offer:
- a review of your current payments and debt repayments,
- payment breaks or reductions (this won’t be suitable for everyone),
- more time to pay,
- access to hardship funds and grants.
You may be eligible to join the Priority Services Register with your energy and water companies, to receive extra support.
This is a free service, and you can ask to join if you:
- have reached State Pension age
- are pregnant, or have young children
- struggle with speaking or reading English
- are living with a disability or a long-term medical condition
- or there has been a change in your circumstances such as you are recovering from an injury, returning home after a hospital stay, job loss or bereavement.
Contact them directly and provide as much information as you can about your needs.
Some of the help you can get includes:
- information in an accessible format
- when possible, notice of planned power cuts or water supply issues
- identification schemes where companies give you a password, so you know it’s a genuine call
- nominee schemes where they send your bills to a family member or carer of your choice
- priority support in an emergency
- help with meter readings.
Find out what support is available to help with the cost of living. This includes income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.
You can check which benefits and financial support you may be eligible for here: gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support
If you were born before 23 September 1958, you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills this winter. This is known as a Winter Fuel Payment.
You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits, such as Pension Credit.
Don’t miss out! You only have until 21 December 2024 to make a claim for Pension Credit in order to receive this year’s Winter Fuel Payment. For details visit www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
Families, friends and neighbours are being urged to reach out to retired family members to encourage them to check their eligibility and apply.