Help At Hand Grants and Advice Sara Winnington Project Officer Action Surrey

Tackling Fuel Poverty an Integrated Approach Energy efficiency measures Maximising income Elimination of fuel poverty Fuel tariff advice

Fuel Poverty Solutions…..The Benefits of Energy Efficiency Measures Saves livesSaves lives Improves healthImproves health Lowers fuel billsLowers fuel bills Provides warmer homesProvides warmer homes Saves moneySaves money

“ The Health Impacts of Cold Homes and Fuel Poverty” Marmot Review Team May 2011 Taken from the Executive Summary Countries which have more energy efficient housing have lower Excess Winter Deaths (EWDs). There is a relationship between EWDs, low thermal efficiency of housing and low indoor temperature. Investing in the energy efficiency of housing can help stimulate the labour market and economy, as well as creating opportunities for skilling up the construction workforce The Health Impacts of Cold Homes and Fuel Poverty” Marmot Review Team May 2011 Taken from the Executive Summary

What Measures are Available? Loft insulation Cavity wall insulation Emergency Kits Draught proofing Hot water tank jacket Heating systems Heating system repairs

Adding 270mm of loft insulation to a typical home with no loft insulation could cut heating bills by up to £175 a year, while cavity wall insulation will save you up to £135 a year A new boiler with modern heating controls could save you £300 a year, with solid wall insulation giving savings of up to about £475 a year. Save Money!

What Local Help is Available? Action Surrey – Keep Warm package including: Free cavity wall and loft insulation* Free home Energy Survey* £100 towards a loft clearance service* (*subject to survey and eligibility; private sector only)

Home Improvement agencies – may well offer minor repair grants which could cover; boiler repairs; emergency heating; grants and loans; gas inspections Emergency keep warm kits (co2 monitors; blankets; boiler repairs; heaters; insulation film) Spelthorne & Runnymede What Local Help is Available?

National Government: Warm Front (heating, boiler repairs, draughtproofing, & insulation) strict criteria & SAP assessment Energy Providers Home Heat Helpline National Help

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) offers rebates to vulnerable households, in the first year principally pensioner households will benefit. This will involve a reduction of £120 on electricity bills for the most financially disadvantaged households in National Help

Cold Weather Payment (CWP) On income-related benefits, payment triggered when there has been, or forecast to be, a period of seven consecutive days over which the average daily temperature is 0o C or below £25 per week. National Help

Winter Fuel Payment yearly one-off payments to help eligible people pay for their heating in the winter. are paid to men and women who have reached the minimum age at which a woman can receive a state pension. National Help

Prevention Income maximisation – ensure getting benefits entitled to Reduction Tariff reduction advice – take advice from impartial sources ie USwitch.com to switch your supplier (if on prepayment meters Ebico) Reduce energy use – good housekeeping Tackling Fuel Poverty an Integrated Approach

Ensure the meter is read correctly Good energy housekeeping Fuel debt grants are available Sign up to the Priority Service Register Other Things Clients Should Be Doing!

For those of pensionable age; live with a disability or chronic sickness or have a visual or hearing impairment Register with with gas and electricity supplier Special care and attention if the gas or electricity supply is cut may be entitled to: Supplier identification password A bill nominee scheme Priority Service Register

An annual safety check for gas appliances. Energy bills in large print, audio or Braille format. Social tarriffs (criteria) Meter readings every quarter, if you are unable to do this yourself. To apply contact supplier direct Priority Service Register

Identifying the Problem Individuals will not identify themselves as suffering from fuel poverty. Instead they will often highlight a range of problems that could be signs of fuel poverty Signposting Pathway

Common complaints are: I can’t pay my electricity/gas bill I’m about to be disconnected I can’t afford to heat my home My house is cold My house is damp I’m always ill Signposting Pathway

Signpost them to the right local help (energy advice; benefits etc) Action Surrey can provide a free Home Energy Audit which will highlight any issues. Undertaken by CRB checked volunteers Signposting Pathway

Action Surrey can provide - Fuel poverty check list available; range of handouts; referral form; referral pathway Cold Weather Guide to Surrey Thermometers What Next?