It is a worrying time for many of us at the moment but particularly if you are disabled or have a health condition that affects your cost of living. The colder months are approaching and this in itself is a cause for concern with rising energy costs. However, there is some help available to people on certain benefits and this includes a one-off payment of £150 for disabled people. The Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide £400 discount on energy for every household with a further £650 ‘cost of living’ grants for households that receive certain income related benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance, Universal Credit and tax credit supplements. Pensioners will also receive £300 on top of their Winter Fuel Payment. You can find out more and about your eligibility via the following sources:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills or telephone 0808 223 1133
www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/find-schemes-grants-and-benefits-help-home-energy or telephone 020 7901 7295
Or find out what your local council in Lancashire is doing via www.lancashire.gov.uk/
Six top tips for saving money on household energy use:
- Use a microwave instead of an oven
- Turn down radiators in rooms you don’t use
- Spend shorter time in the shower
- Turn off appliances at the plug socket
- Turn down your thermostat
- Open curtains to let in sunshine!