Get Help for Paying Your Energy Bills with a New Government Program

The recent announcement by Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister of the UK, will help alleviate some of the stress most UK families are feeling as a result of not having enough money to pay their essential monthly expenses.

The rising costs of gas and electricity is cause for concern for many families who are wondering how they are going to manage to pay the fuel bills. The £910 million package announced in September, 2008 is designed to help families over this financial hurdle.

There are several different sections of this program and by knowing which ones apply to you, you will know where and how to apply for monies from the program.

Government Payments

1. Home Energy Savings Program. This program is designed to assist you in making your home more energy-efficient in order to cut down on the amount of your monthly bills. Those who are currently in receipt of a pension and low income families can receive 100% of the cost of adding insulation. Everyone else in the UK will receive 50% of this cost.
2. Community Energy Saving Program. This is a new service in the most deprived areas of the UK. It will be carried out by house-to-house calls to discuss your needs in this area. The funding for this program comes from energy firms and is part of the Home Energy Savings Program.
3. Winter Fuel Payment. If you live in the UK and are over the age of 60 you are eligible for this payment to help you pay some of the heating costs over the winter months. It is a one-time payment made in November. For the winter of 2008- 2009, the payments are in the amount of £250 for those between the ages of 60 and 80 and £400 for those over 80. You do have to make application in order to start receiving this payment and once you do, you will automatically receive it each following year.
4. Cold Weather Payment. When the temperature is expected to be below 0°C for seven consecutive days, you will receive an additional payment. It is £8.50 per day but the government may increase this to £25 per day if the weather is especially severe. You are eligible to receive this payment if you are on a pension, receive jobseeker’s allowance and have a child under 5, are in receipt of a disability pension or have a child that is receiving such a pension.

Other Government Programs

1. Warm Front England. Whether you own your home or rent, you may qualify for assistance in upgrading the insulation in your home in England. The grant will pay for such things as insulating a lift, providing adequate draft proofing and the installation of gas or electric heaters with thermostats. You do have to meet the eligibility requirements, which include receiving a child tax credit or working tax credit according to your level of income, be attending school or in receipt of a pension. The amount of the grant can range as high as £4000 depending on your level of need.
2. Warm Deal Scotland. Residents of Scotland could qualify for up to £500 for installation of insulation. The eligibility requirements include being on a pension, receiving jobseekers` allowance, attending school, receiving working tax credit or child tax credit, plus others. You should contact the government agency to see if you qualify.

There are a large number of other programs available for those who meet the requirements to help them battle the high bills they incur during the winter season. See the website for more details or call the government help line.

Tags: Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Front England, Warm Deal Scotland, Community Energy Saving Program, energy bills, Cold Weather Payment