This section provides links to financial support for tenants and support to improve the energy efficiency of tenants’ homes, making them easier to heat. If any funding is associated with modifications to the home, for example insulation, a new boiler, and so on, tenants must always get the approval of their landlord to carry out the work and work with them. Schemes mentioned in this annex may also be applicable to owner occupiers. Warm Home Discount Scheme: a one-off discount on electricity bills. The scheme will reopen for October 2023. Winter Fuel Payment: people born before 26 September 1956 may get between £250 and £600 to help pay their heating bills. Running for winter 2023 and 2024. This is in addition to any other cost of living payments. Cold Weather Payment: support for individuals receiving certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI). A payment will be received if the average temperature in the household’s area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. Households will receive a payment of £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. Citizens Advice: this organisation can help households with income maximisation, applying for energy grants, and help people to understand their energy bills or manage finances or fuel debt. This page provides an overview. Age UK Warm Home Programme: the programme helps in 3 key ways:
benefit entitlement checks
home energy checks
providing advice
Mencap: guidance for people with a learning disability and their families and carers on how to get help with food, energy and fuel costs. NEA - the UK’s leading fuel poverty charity: provides direct support to people, including income maximisation advice and advocating on issues including improving energy efficiency of homes. Gives advice on warm and safe homes, and advice for those struggling to pay their bills. Help with energy bills (Shelter England): this article outlines the various sources of financial support available and who can access these funds. Money Helper: provides advice on how to save on gas and electricity and what help is available to households who are concerned about paying their bills or missing a payment. Energy Company obligation: help from energy suppliers with installing energy-saving improvements to homes. Insulation grants are available for occupiers of privately and socially rented properties which landlords can also help tenants apply for. This may help with the cost of insulation work, for example to your loft or cavity walls and replacing or repairing your boiler - or other upgrades to your heating. Find energy grants for your home (Help to Heat) Find your local council: councils run local funding schemes if tenants are struggling to ask for help. Schemes in place often include ‘welfare assistance’ and ‘Household Support Funds’. NEA’s multi-lingual advice leaflets If landlords become aware of tenants who may be in financial difficulty and struggling with energy bills, advice is available from specialist providers such as Shelter, Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper. If tenants are eligible for Legal Aid, they can also contact Civil Legal Advice for free and confidential advice. Tenants might also qualify for Universal Credit, which can include help with housing costs. Some tenants might also be available for government Cost of Living Payments.