Support to help you live well in your home over the colder months
Times are tough right now as household bills continue to rise. We’re here to help if you need us – please reach out to us so we can see what other support we can offer or other partners we can refer into.
Check you’re receiving money you’re entitled to
Our easy-to-use benefits calculator takes just 10 minutes to use and could help you access extra benefits, grants and other support that you or your family may be entitled to. Last year, we helped customers claim more than £325,000 in extra income they were entitled to. Don’t miss out.
Help with energy bills
If you are struggling to pay your energy bills contact your supplier as soon as possible. They can provide financial support and review your payments, offer payment breaks or reductions. They can also see if you are eligible for the Warm Homes Discount. This is a one-off £150 discount from the Government to help people living on a low income or pension over the winter months.
No matter which supplier you are with, the British Gas Energy Trust may also be able to help.
Request a visit from the Green Doctors
We’re working with Groundwork – a federation of charities working to tackle poverty and help the environment. Their Green Doctors offer free, impartial advice to help you save energy and minimise your bills. They can visit you to help with things like: • Installing energy and water saving measures, like draft excluders, energy saving light bulbs and reflective radiator strips. • Identifying heat loss in your home. • Sharing tips for saving energy and water. • Supporting you to switch energy providers. • Supporting you to access support, such as emergency heating, government subsidies or grants and advice on energy or water debt. The FREE service is available to all our customers. Contact your Community Co-ordinator with your name and address and we’ll put you in touch.
Financial support from the government
Everyone is getting £400 off their bills between October and March and you should have received at least one of your £66 or £67 payments already. If you’re on a pre-payment meter and haven’t had yours, double check your post and emails to ensure you’ve not missed it as many vouchers have not yet been used.
You may also be eligible for an extra Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payments if you receive certain benefits. For most people these will be paid automatically but find out what to if you don’t receive them or check your eligibility through the links above.
Damp and mould
Most homes get condensation, especially when the temperature drops. Left unmanaged, this can lead to damp and mould. If you believe the issue is affecting your health or wellbeing, or the health of someone else in your household, please get in touch. We all create between 3 and 4 pints of moisture each day through activities like cooking, bathing, washing and ironing. To reduce the impact of this, try the steps below. • Use your extractor fan when cooking or bathing. They are cheap to run – costing just £3.68 a year to run a bathroom fan, and £9.61 a year to run a kitchen fan – but make a big difference. If your fans are broken or missing, report this to us straight away so we can fix or replace. • Open trickle vents on windows, use the night-lock with the key removed or open your windows for 20 minutes every morning and after cooking and bathing. • Ensure brick air vents are kept clear and not blocked off. • Wipe condensation from windows in the morning. • Cover saucepans with lids when cooking. • Dry laundry outside if you can and not on radiators. • Vent tumble dryers outside unless it is a self-condensing model, in which case open the door or window when in use. • Where possible, position large furniture against internal walls rather than against an outside wall. • Use a disposable dehumidifier. You can get them from homeware stores for around £3 - £6. A plug-in option would also help to remove moisture from the air. • Keep your home as warm as you can and at a consistent temperature – we know this is really hard in the current climate (see above for help with your energy bills). Draft proofing doors and older windows can help keep the heat in.
Other causes of damp and condensation
Condensation is not the only cause of moisture and mould. For example, it may be the result of leaks, issues with guttering, cracks in walls, missing fans or rising damp. If you are affected by any of these problems, please contact us as soon as possible. Our specially trained teams can come out to investigate the cause and see what we can do together to resolve the issue.
Energy-saving advice
When every pound counts, the tips below can help minimise your energy bills. • Keep radiators clear and use the radiator valves. • Swap baths for showers. • Close curtains and blinds when it goes dark. • Wear lots of layers – as warm air is trapped between. • Make sure you have a full wash load and wash at 30 where you can. • Use energy saving light-bulbs – the Green Drs can provide these! • Switch appliances off standby.
Help for Households campaign
The government’s Help for Households website brings together information about support available to support people through the cost-of-living crisis, including help with energy, income and other household costs.
Support in your area
Our website contains lots of information about support in your area, including: • Food banks and pantries operating on your doorstep • Local credit unions offering affordable loans • Local authority support such as discounts and hardship funds • Information about other partner organisations who can offer support
If you are struggling, please contact us
We will listen to you and offer non-judgemental help and support, putting you in touch with other organisations and services if we think they will be able to help too.