Energy Grants and Schemes
OFGEM recently announced a further increase to the energy price cap, so what will this mean for the average household?
OFGEM has indicated that the price will increase again in October taking the cap to £2,800 a year. With this in mind, we wanted to give colleagues an update on our earlier lunch and learn and some further advice about grants and schemes that could help.
The great news is that the government will now be replacing the £200 loan with a £400 energy grant- meaning, that this will not be repayable and instead will be paid to all households connected to the electricity mains. The grant will be applied to your account by your supplier.
If you receive tax credits or any of the below then the amount you receive should be £650:
Child tax credit
Income-related employment and support allowance
Income support
Pension credit
Universal credit
Working tax credit
Pensioners will also receive a further £300 in November as a top-up to the Winter Fuel payment.
The government is also putting £500 million into the Household Support Fund. This is a scheme to help with the rising costs of food, water, and bills. It is administered by local councils, Manchester, Salford, Leeds, and Birmingham are all taking a bit of a different approach.
The links below will take you to all the related information you’ll need-
Manchester - Initially sent out cheques to families in receipt of council tax support and is currently working through how the new scheme will be administered.
Salford - You need to be in receipt of benefits and apply through their website.
Household Support Fund • Salford City Council
Leeds - The initial fund was distributed via free meals and based on those who were in receipt of Council Tax Support. It is not something that can be applied.
Birmingham - Local Hardship Grants will be made available, details available shortly
Household Support Fund | Birmingham City Council
Liverpool - Similar criteria as above in terms of being in receipt of some benefits.
Help in a crisis - Liverpool City Council
With many of the schemes above being administered based on receipt of benefits, it may be worth checking your eligibility. Up to seven-and-a-half million households are missing out on £15 billion a year of means-tested benefits, the latest Government figures show. Benefits Calculator: What am I entitled to – MoneySavingExpert
There are also schemes available to help with energy efficiency improvements in your home. The ECO scheme was set up by the government to meet their Home Heating Costs Reduction Obligations. There have been 3 rounds of ECO funding and a 4th round is just beginning. Boilers and cavity wall insulation is still available on the scheme but they have also added in help towards low carbon heating tech such as air source heat pumps.
The best and most independent site to assess eligibility is Simple Energy Advice
Other helpful links are mentioned below:
Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills - Citizens Advice
Financial Assistance for Individuals | Charis
Warm and Safe Homes Advice - National Energy Action (NEA)
