Warm Homes
Published on 04 October 2023 03:00 PM
Help to keep your home warm this winter!
Living in a cold home can damage your health. Age UK West Cumbria can help you stay warm and well through the cold months in TWO ways.
If you're feeling concerned about the imminent colder months, please be assured that there are plenty of resources and information at your disposal. Age UK West Cumbria offer a FREE Information & Advice service, our trained professionals are available to give you guidance and support to access grants and benefits. Also see our winter resource page for additional information: Discounts & Grants
How Warm Homes can help
If you fit into the risk of fuel poverty criteria (listed below), you can receive a Home Energy Check. Our Information and Advice team will ask you for these details when you get in touch.
The Criteria:
- If you are over the age of 65
- If you are on low income (for example in receipt of any means-tested benefits or on an income below £16,900 per annum)
- If you are suffering from any long term health conditions (especially cardiovascular problems, COPD, arthristis, and dementia)
- If you live in a home that is considered ‘hard to heat’ (for example solid walls/no loft insulation/block of flats or reliant on other types of heating such as LPG gas or oil, or has an EPC rating below C
Home energy checks
If you meet the criteria, once it has been confirmed with Age UK West Cumbria, a member of staff will carry out an assessment of your home:
- Your home will be assessed to see how cold/damp it feels
- You will be asked questions about their health and how cold weather affects them
- Your will be given advice about heating systems/saving energy/smart meters
- You can be referred for welfare benefits support, or other internal or external services
- You can have certain equipment installed up to a value of £22 e.g: light bulbs, socket times, night lights, letter box brushes, installation foam, draught excluders, external door brushes, radiator foil panels, chimney pillows
Winter Warmth Appeal for clients living in Allerdale and over the age of 60
If you are eligible you can apply for grants of £200 or £300 depending on your circumstances. You can call the Information and Advice Team on 01900 844670 Option 1, to find out more.
The criteria:
- In receipt of state pension/pension credits OR disability benefits and low income and health issues
- If you are not in receipt of pension credit we are required to carry out a benefit check. Those who refuse to undertake a benefits check will not be eligible for a grant next year.
Providing advice
In both of these one-to-one sessions we'll also:
- provide advice on keeping warm and saving energy
- offer free Age UK information guides that may be useful
- refer you to local services you may find helpful.