Good news on home energy grants

THOUSANDS more families are set to qualify for national grants to keep them warm in their homes.

The good news was announced this week by High Peak Borough Council, which urged people to find out if they qualify.

The government Warm Front scheme helps fund heating and insulation improvements for households on certain income-related benefits and living in properties that are poorly insulated or do not have central heating.

Now, the eligibility criteria have been relaxed to include:

• Anyone receiving Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit to a total of £15,860 or less
• Any recipient of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance with parental responsibility for a child under the age of 16 – or under 20 if still in full-time education. The child must live ordinarily with the applicant. Previously, the dependent child had to be five or under.

The other main change is the fact that homes do not have to be as poorly performing in energy efficiency terms as was previously the case.

Qualifying households can get improvements worth up to £3,500 – or £6,000 where oil central heating or alternative technologies are recommended.

Grants are available for improvements including:

• Loft or cavity wall insulation
• Draught proofing
• Hot water tank insulation
• Gas, electric, liquid petroleum gas or oil heating
• Conversion of solid fuel open fires into glass-fronted fires.
• Households qualifying for improvements could save up to £650 a year on heating bills.

In summary, applications are invited from anyone meeting the new criteria plus anyone entitled to Cold Weather Payments. Eligible people also include recipients of pension credit and higher rate disability premiums.

Anthony McKeown, executive councillor for community services, said: “With energy bills soaring by up to 20 per cent, many people are living in cold homes that put their health at risk. Yet Warm Front is there to help you receive certain benefits. The scheme can also provide a new boiler if yours has broken down.

“If you think you may be eligible – or you know someone who is – please call Warm Front on 0800 316 2814 or visit www.warmfront.co.uk”, he urged.