Keep 'Warm and Well' this Winter
When it comes to rising fuel costs, many people are feeling
the pinch – and the cold.
Living in a poorly heated home can lead to serious health
problems such as respiratory illness, colds, flu, arthritis, stress
and depression. Fuel poverty contributes to thousands of excess
winter deaths every year. Those likely to suffer are the elderly,
children and people with disabilities or medical problems.
However there is help available in the form of funding for
certain measures to help you keep your home warmer. These
include:
Warm Front
A government-funded scheme which provides grants to make your
home warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.
The grant provides energy-efficiency advice and a package of
insulation and heating improvements tailored to each property up to
the value of £3,500 and up to £6,000 for an oil-system.
Grants are for people who receive certain benefits and own their
own home or rent it from a private landlord.
To find out if you qualify call the Benefit Entitlement Check
Team free on 0800 072 9006
The Carbon Emission Reduction Target
Scheme
This scheme helps those people who are over 70 or in receipt of
governmental benefits to get free cavity wall and loft
insulation.
Contact your energy supplier to find out if you are eligible for
help under this programme.
Winter Fuel Payments
A tax free benefit to help pay for heating during winter to help
people aged 60 and over.
To find out more about Winter Fuel Payments call 0845 915
1515
The Energy Saving Trust
Offers free impartial advice on energy saving tips and
information about grants available, please call 0800 512 012.
You'll also find information about how to stay well in winter by
keeping warm from the national campaign ‘Keep Warm, Keep Well’.
Tips include:
- Keep warm at home - set your thermostat at around 21ºC (70ºF)
and heat all the rooms you use in the day.
- Dress well - wear plenty of layers and put on a hat, scarf and
gloves when going outdoors in the very cold weather.
- Reduce your energy bills - insulate your home.