Government Grants to Help You Save Money on Electricity Bills

Did you know that you might be able to claim for certain Government Grants which would help you to improve electricity consumption in your home and reduce the costs?

Get a New Boiler via Affordable Warmth Scheme

Under the Affordable Warmth Obligation scheme (or ECO scheme) you could get financial support for energy-saving home improvements such as boiler replacement or repairs. The Government supports this scheme so that everyone within the UK are able to heat their homes despite their income or disabilities.

What could help reduce your electricity consumption?

If you are eligible to apply for the Affordable Warmth Scheme you could get help with:

• conversion of economy 7 to high-efficiency electrical storage system;
• boiler replacement/system upgrade (available for householders over 65, or who have a child under 16 years of age, or who receive disability living allowance and where an existing central heating boiler is at least 15 years old)

The grant limit in the Affordable Warmth scheme is £7,500. However, if you rent housing from a landlord you should make a contribution of 50% of the total cost of energy efficiency improvements to their property.

How much could you save?

In terms of saving on electricity bills, old boiler replacement with a new energy efficient one could save you up to £310 a year.

Who Can Apply?

You can apply for the Affordable Warmth Scheme if you:

• claim certain benefits or have a total gross annual household income of less than £20,000 and live in a private housing (own or rent housing from a private person)
• live in social housing that has an energy efficiency rating of E, F or G (find your property’s energy efficiency rating).

How to Apply?

Call us on Call us on: 01904 929 335 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm) to apply.

Get a Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount scheme (WHDS) offers an annual one-time discount towards the energy bills between September and March of households that need it the most. The scheme is compulsory for the large energy companies and the discount is applied as a credit placed in the account of those who are eligible.

How Much Can You Save?

You could save £140 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

Who Can Apply for Warm Home Discount?

There are two groups of people who can get the Warm Home Discount:

• Core group: people who get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• Broader group: people who are on a low income and meet their energy suppliers criteria for the scheme (list of energy suppliers who are on the scheme).

How to Apply for Warm Home Discount?

If you belong to the core group, the Warm Home Discount should be applied to your bill automatically. You should receive a confirmation letter by 30th November 2018. In case you think you belong to the core group but did not receive a letter, please contact the support team on Call us on: 01904 929 335 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm).

If you belong to the broader group, you should apply to your energy supplier and check their eligibility criteria. The discount will be applied to your electricity account.

Winter Fuel Payment

Winter Fuel Payment is a one-time payment to help elderly people reduce the heating costs during the winter.

How Much Can You Save?

You could save between £100 and £300. The amount depends on your date of birth and number of people living with you (the full list of circumstances).

Who Can Receive the Winter Fuel Payment?

If you were born on or before 5 November 1953 and you get the State Pension or another social security benefit (excluding Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit), you are eligible to receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

How to Apply to Receive the Winter Fuel Payment?

If you are eligible, you should receive the payment automatically and you should get your money by 14 January 2019. However, if you are eligible but do not get paid automatically, you will need to make a claim.

Cold Weather Payments

These type of payments are paid as one-time payments to help people pay for extra heating costs when it is very cold. These payments do not affect your other benefits.

How Much Can You Get?

You can get £25 for each 7 day period of the recorded average temperature in your area to be zero degrees Celsius or below. The cold temperature must be recorded between 1 November and 31 March.

Who Can Apply for Cold Weather Payments?

You may get Cold Weather Payments only if you’re getting:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support*
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance*
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance*
• Universal Credit*

*Additional conditions apply. See full list.

How to Apply for Cold Weather Payments?

There is no need to apply for Cold Weather Payments. If you are eligible, you will be paid automatically.

In case you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you haven’t, please contact your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office.

Are you looking for help with electrical heating installation or boiler replacement? Contact Full Circuit Electrical on Call us on: 01904 929 335 or learn more about our services.