Tag: Warm Home Discount

Utilita Energy Hub in Leith set to host Hope 4U takeover day this weekend!

High street hub welcomes financial support experts to its free Community Room

Natasha Baillie, Supervisor at Leith’s Utilita Energy Hub, and her dedicated team are looking forward to welcoming financial support experts from Hope 4U to the hub’s Community Room on Saturday, 17 May. 

The Utilita Energy Experts are joining forces with Hope 4U to help hub visitors check if they are on the best energy tariff, with hints and top tips on how to significantly lower energy bills. 

Advice will also be available for those who are eligible for the Attendance Allowance – a disability benefit for people aged 65 or over, who have a long-term illness or disability and need frequent help with personal care or need regular supervision.

Looking forward to the weekend’s takeover day, Natasha said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Hope 4U team in support of the vital work they do to improve financial sustainability and to offer advice to those who may not be able to afford their bills, or who may be struggling to put food on the table or keep a roof over their head.

“Depending on your situation, you may also qualify to apply for Warm Home Discount or be eligible to apply for grants from other organisations.

“We’re all too aware that the rising costs of living and reduced public funding have made food and fuel poverty worse. That’s why we are proud to collaborate with Hope 4U to provide the local community with the tools they need to help alleviate the hardship caused by rising costs.

“No matter what you need, our friendly team in Leith are on hand to help with your energy queries, whether you want to learn about smart meters, get energy efficiency advice, or just want a chat in a welcoming environment.

“Plus, you can top-up your energy in store with PayPoint and Payzone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Utilita customer or not – our top-ups include many other energy suppliers too.”

The hub’s Community Room provides local groups and charities with a free and safe space for them to hold meetings or community events, with complimentary WiFi and refreshments available. 

The Utilita Leith Energy Hub is open from Monday to Saturday at 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA and anyone interested in using the hub’s dedicated community space free-of-charge can book a session by emailing edinburgh@utilita.co.uk. 

See more on Utilita Energy Hubs at https://utilita.co.uk/energy-hub.

People on low incomes urged to check if they can get £150 energy bill discount

Eligible low income households urged to make sure they get £150 in Warm Home Discount before 29 February

  • Low income households who qualify for the Warm Home Discount are urged to make sure they get the £150 discount.
  • Most of the 3 million households who qualify will automatically receive this energy bill support.
  • Households who need to confirm their details must do so by the end of February.

People on low incomes could benefit from a £150 rebate on their energy bills – and are being urged to act now where they need to, so they can get the support before this year’s scheme closes. 

The help is available to over 3 million households across Great Britain that are most at risk of fuel poverty, with many receiving the discount automatically. However, some customers in England and Wales have been sent a letter asking them to confirm their details by calling the Warm Home Discount Helpline so they can check their eligibility and get the rebate.  

To mark Big Energy Saving Week, Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway is today urging any of these households who need to provide more information to call the helpline by 29 February and get the support they are entitled to.  

The scheme forms part of measures to keep costs down for families and put more money in their pockets. It targets support to protect those most at risk of fuel poverty this winter, following a significant drop in energy prices since their peak last year and the Government delivering on its pledge to halve inflation – which is now at a two-year low of 3.9%.  

Tax cuts announced at the start of the year will also support 27 million people across the UK, meaning a household with two average earners will save nearly £1,000 a year.

Minister for Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway said: “We will always act to support the most vulnerable – and this means making sure those most in need are getting the right support.  

“Today, I am urging people on low incomes who have been notified about the Warm Home Discount to make sure they act now to get £150 off their energy bill.  

“Please check your letter and call our helpline before the end of February if you need to provide more information.”

The UK government’s Warm Home Discount offers targeted energy bill support for those most in need. This includes low income pensioners and households in England and Wales with high energy costs. 

These customers received a letter at the end of last year explaining the discount and instructions on any action they may need to take.  

For the vast majority of these customers, the discount is automatically applied to bills between October 2023 and March 2024, or is available as a top-up voucher for those with a prepayment meter. 

However, some people in England and Wales who received a letter and could qualify for the support have been asked ring the government helpline number provided in their letter to confirm their details.

Customers can also find out more on the government’s Warm Home Discount gov.uk page and use the online eligibility checker to see if they qualify, or call the general Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322. 

In Scotland, customers on low incomes who have not received a letter may still be eligible and should apply via a different route, by contacting their energy supplier as soon as possible.   

The support comes on top of wider action to protect vulnerable households, including a £900 payment for those on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioner households and an extra £150 available for those on disability benefits.  

The Government has also invested over £2 billion into the Household Support Fund over the last two years, increased the Local Housing Allowance Rate so £1.6 million private renters on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit gain an average of nearly £800 a year and £600 in tax-free cash for pensioner households to help with energy bills through Winter Fuel Payments.

Cold Weather Payments have also been triggered to help households receiving certain benefits to stay warm this winter. The scheme – which runs until March 2024 – provides low-income households with an automatic payment of £25 following periods of cold weather.  

Anyone can access advice on how to reduce energy costs and heat their home for less via the government’s Help for Households website. This includes energy saving tips as part of the It All Adds Up campaign, which helped British households an estimated £120 million on their energy bills last winter.

More information about the Warm Home Discount is available here and households can check if they are eligible for the support via the GOV.UK online eligibility checker.