27 November, 2009
Melissa Devine, Home Heat Helpline
3.6 million households are missing out on energy savings: your call to the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) can make all the difference.
The Home Heat Helpline is urging home improvement agencies across England to help the ‘missing millions' who have been identified by new research as missing out on savings of over £250 a year off their home energy bills by taking advantage of free insulation.
Home improvement agency staff can call the Home Heat Helpline free on 0800 33 66 99 on behalf of those they support, and help them receive the grants and benefits they may not realise they are entitled to.
The Missing Millions research, carried out by independent think tank the New Policy Institute (NPI), highlights low income households claiming either out-of-work or disability benefits, working tax credit or pension credit, who could benefit from the insulation grants. The research reveals 3.6 million households across the country are missing out on big savings this winter, including around £150 a year off their heating bills by insulating their lofts and another £115 a year with cavity wall insulation.
Anyone aged over 70 can also apply for a free home insulation grant. This accounts for a further 1.3 million households eligible purely because of their age. The grants are provided under the CERT (Carbon Emission Reduction Target) scheme, which provides cavity wall or loft insulation for poorly insulated homes.
In addition to free home insulation grants, the Home Heat Helpline also provides access to:
reduced or ‘social' tariffs
the Priority Service Register, which provides extra services for people who are elderly or disabled - including bills in large text or Braille, security passwords and an annual gas safety check
flexible payment options for customers in fuel debt, and
benefits entitlement checks.
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Case study
"I am registered disabled and suffer from arthritis so it's important that my husband and I keep the house as warm as possible during the winter months. I've been receiving help from a home improvement agency and my carer advised me to call the Home Heat Helpline, to make sure that I was paying the correct amount for my fuel bills. "The person I spoke to at the helpline was very helpful and advised me about free insulation and reduced tariffs. She also carried out a full benefits check on me to make sure I was receiving all the benefits I'm entitled to. She pointed out that my supplier should have been crediting me with a bonus payment of £85 off my bill, so I was put directly through to my supplier to discuss it. "A few days later I received a letter from my supplier, confirming that I would be receiving the £85 off my bill. That money will really come in useful for items which I might otherwise not have been able to afford." |
Christine McGourty, Home Heat Helpline spokesperson, says the research shows the huge scale of unclaimed help from energy suppliers that is out there, which could make a huge difference to those reliant on the help of home improvement agencies.
"There are free grants for insulation that could provide a lifeline for many people as it gets colder through the winter months. We have trained advisers who can help you get grants for insulation, special reduced tariffs as well as advice and support for your residents on how to keep warm and save money on their bills."
Call today for your free advice booklet - 0800 33 66 99
Home improvement agency staff who call the Home Heat Helpline can request the free Little Book of Energy which gives advice on grants and extra help available as well as top tips for making homes more energy efficient and reducing bills. Visit www.homeheathelpline.org.uk for more information.
The Helpline is managed by the Energy Retail Association and paid for by contributions from Britain's major energy suppliers. The service is backed by a range of support organisations including Age UK, Citizens Advice, National Energy Action, Energy Saving Trust, Counsel and Care and Gingerbread.
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Irene Dixon, 73, called the Home Heat Helpline herself, after it was referred to her by her home improvement agency: