.
Maintaining winter warmth
Keeping warm in winter may help prevent colds, coughs and flu or serious health
problems such as pneumonia, heart attacks, strokes or depression.
You are more susceptible to illness during cold weather if:
 you already have a long-term health condition such as heart, lung or kidney
disease
 you are disabled
 you have difficulty in paying fuel bills
 you are over 60
Flu can be a serious illness in elderly or vulnerable people. Your GP surgery will invite
you for a free annual flu jab if you fall into a ‘higher risk’ category which includes
carers. Flu jabs are also available around October/November at some high street
pharmacies and through health providers such as BUPA.
An estimated four million households in the UK are in ‘fuel poverty’, spending over
10% of income in order to keep warm.
First4Contact Winter Warmth is a new service for Bradford and Airedale residents
which aims to help people stay warm and well in winter. Services include:
 help and support with fuel debt problems
 advice on home energy efficiency
 practical solutions relating to home heating and energy
 access to a home fire safety check
Call 01274 449660 for more information or visit www.first4contact.org to access the
online referral form.
Warm & Well in North Yorkshire is a new service for residents of North Yorkshire.
Services include:
 practical and financial help to stay warm and well
 information and advice
 talks, events, training, resources and top tips
Call the helpline on 01423 740001 for more information or visit www.first4contact.org
to access the online referral form.
Keeping yourself warm





Wear plenty of clothes – several thin layers are warmer than a thick layer.
If possible, keep active, moving around at least once an hour – don’t sit or stand
for long periods.
Light exercise will help circulation and warm up your body.
Stay indoors if it’s really cold. Maintaining contact with family, friends or
neighbours can provide valuable help during bad weather.
If you’re sitting in a chair, use a shawl, small blanket or a throw and keep
your feet up away from any draughts.
Carers’ Resource is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Registered Charity No. 1049278.
Company registered in England No 3054273. Registered Office: 11 North Park Road, Harrogate. HG1 5PD
MWW 12.15
1



If you’re using an electric blanket, don’t be tempted to use a hot water bottle as
well. If there are continence problems, use a hot water bottle to heat the bed.
Microwavable heated items may be even safer.
Eating well maintains well-being – start the day with a bowl of porridge for a
warm winter lining!
Hypothermia is a serious condition – body temperature falls below 35oC
(normal is around 37C). Starting with shivering, the condition can lead to
confusion, breathing problems and loss of consciousness.
Keeping your home warm






Recommended temperature for your main living areas, including your bedroom,
is 18o-21oC (64o-70oF) This is particularly important if you are over 65 or have a
health condition such as heart or lung disease.
Try to keep an even temperature – constantly adjusting heat in response to
temperature changes can be uncomfortable and is not economical.
Have your heating system serviced regularly so it can cope when cold weather
starts.
Efficient insulation will retain heat and reduce bills. A significant amount of heat
can be lost through lofts and walls (30%). Recommended levels of insulation
have increased so it is worth checking any existing insulation with a view to
improvement.
Double glazing significantly reduces heat loss.
You may be eligible for a home insulation grant – please see Financial Help
section.
Financial help with heating your home
If you are over 60, disabled or on a low income, you may be able to receive financial
help towards the extra costs of keeping warm. Some payments are automatic, others
are means-tested.
Winter Fuel Payments
You may be able to claim a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 5
January 1953 (for winter2015/16). Payments are yearly, tax-free sums given each
winter to help people to cover their fuel bills. It is not a means-tested and you can
receive it if you’re still working or if you’re claiming a benefit. If you have not received a
Winter Fuel Payment before, you may need to find out if you qualify.
People born after 5 January 1953 will become eligible when they reach the qualifying
age. Between now and 2020, the qualifying age will gradually rise from 60 to 65.
Long-term hospital patients, care home residents and prisoners cannot claim.
Examples of amounts payable if you were born on or before 5 January 1953:
 If you live alone or you are the only person in the household to qualify you will
receive £200 if you are under 80; £300 if you are over 80
 If you live with someone who also qualifies and is under 80, you will receive
£100; £200 if you are over 80
 If you live with someone who also qualifies and is over 80, you will receive
£100; if you are also over 80, you will receive £150
For further information or to check eligibility, contact:
Winter Fuel Helpline on 0345 915 1515; Textphone: 0345 606 0285 or visit:
gov.uk
MWW
2
Cold Weather Payments
Cold Weather Payments can help people who are in receipt of certain benefits to
receive extra help with increased heating costs during very cold weather. If you are
eligible, you will receive these payments automatically.
‘Very cold weather’ is defined as ‘an average temperature recorded (or forecast) in
your area as zero degrees Celsius (0o C) over seven consecutive days.
Payment is £25 for each seven day period of cold weather between 1 November and
31 March. You don’t need to apply. If you’re eligible to get a Cold Weather Payment,
you’ll be paid it automatically.
Contact the Winter Fuel Helpline for more information (see above).
Warm Front – this scheme ended in January 2013 and was replaced by Green
Deal. However, Green Deal proved unworkable and has been disbanded.
Affordable Warmth Heating Grants
Your household may be eligible for free heating and insulation improvements with the
new ECO (Energy Company Obligation) Heating Grants which largely replace Warm
Front. The Affordable Warmth Heating Grant Scheme is designed to help people on
certain income related benefits who spend more than 10% of their income on heating
and other utility bills.
Energy Saving Advice Service: 0300 123 1234 or visit:
Department for Energy and Climate Change: decc.gov.uk
Home Heat Helpline
The Home Heat Helpline is a free, central phone number offering practical advice for
people concerned about paying their energy bills - a good starting point for all heating
costs queries. The Helpline, staffed by specially trained advisors, is open from 9am to
8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays. The Helpline also has access
to an interpreting service.
Home Heat Helpline: 0800 33 66 99; minicom: 0800 027 2122
Warm Home Discount Scheme
The scheme, run by the government and energy suppliers, provides rebates on
electricity bills – the amount for winter 2015/16 is £140. This scheme replaced the
Energy Rebate Scheme.
Older people on low income and people who receive the guarantee element of
Pension Credit will be automatically identified by the Department for Work and
Pensions (DWP) and signed up for the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
They will form the ‘Core Group’.
Support will also be targeted at other low income and vulnerable households who are
fuel poor – consumers on a low income with a disability or long-term illness, or those
with children. Individual fuel suppliers will have discretion to vary the eligibility
criteria for these customers – known as the ‘Broader Group’.
Suppliers participating in the scheme:
Atlantic; British Gas; Co-ooperative Energy; EDF Energy; E.ON; Equipower (Ebico);
Equigas (Ebico); First Utility; M&S Energy; Manweb (see Scottish Power); npower;
OVO, Sainsbury’s (see British Gas); Scottish Gas (see British Gas); Scottish Hydro;
Scottish Power; Southern Electric; SSE; SWALEC; Utilita, Utility Warehouse.
MWW
3
Warm Home Discount Scheme continued
N.B. Customers who qualified for special tariffs may not qualify for the new scheme –
others may qualify but find their discount is less under the Warm Home Discount
Scheme.
Warm Home Discount Scheme Helpline: 0845 603 9439
Changing energy supplier
Changing supplier can be one of the easiest ways to save money on energy bills. You
will retain meters and all pipework and cables – the only change will be bills from a
different supplier. Before making a change it’s worth checking if you are on the best
tariff offered by your current supplier. When changing, ensure you are refunded any
over-payment to your original supplier.
The Energy Savings Trust can provide further information. Call 0300 123 1234 or
online at: energysavingstrust.org.uk
Comparisons can be difficult as suppliers use different methods of charging and
method of payment may affect charges – direct debit is usually the cheapest.
You will need the following information to compare tariffs:
 The name of your current supplier and tariff – this is usually on the bill
 How much you spent on electricity and gas in the last year
 How you pay energy bills – cheque, direct debit, online or prepayment meter
 Are you changing both electricity and gas suppliers? Dual fuel deals from the
same energy supplier are usually cheaper
To find the best deals you could contact companies listed below
Please note: this list is for general information only and does not imply
recommendation by Carers’ Resource.
www.comparethemarket.com
(online only)
www.energyhelpline.com
0800 074 0745
www.energylinx.co.uk
0800 849 7077
www.moneysupermarket.com
0800 177 7087
www.simplyswitch.com
0800 011 1395
www.theenergyshop.com
0845 330 7247
www.ukpower.co.uk
0800 188 4906
www.unravelit.com
0333 344 0031
www.uswitch.com
0808 256 5342
www.which.co.uk
0800 410 1149


Use the telephone numbers listed for comparison websites to ask for a verbal
price comparison
Contact energy suppliers directly
Help from your local authority
Your local authority has a general power to help improve living conditions. Local home
improvement agencies may offer advice and financial help or other assistance relating
to work on improvements and adaptations. For further information, please contact your
local Carers’ Resource office – details are on page 6.
MWW
4
If you cannot pay an energy bill
Tell your energy supplier straight away if you cannot pay your bill or keep up with
payments. Energy suppliers must follow certain rules:
 They must give you information about how to avoid getting into debt.
 They must give advice on how to pay back any money you owe.
 They must offer a payment plan which takes into account how much you can
afford to pay regularly.
 They must only offer a prepayment meter as a last resort to disconnecting you.
 Your energy supplier has to take into account your ability to pay, no matter how
long it will take to pay off your debt.
Some methods of repayment
 If you have a temporary problem, your supplier may let you pay in instalments
as long as the outstanding amount is paid before the next bill is due.
 Instalments through a payment plan – this could be on a weekly, fortnightly or
monthly basis, paying an agreed amount to include current usage and paying
off the debt.
 Prepayment meter to collect payments for your debt and to pay in advance for
future use.
 Fuel Direct Scheme – payments can be taken from benefits to pay off an
outstanding debt if you are receiving Income Support, Income-based
Jobseekers Allowance, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance or
Universal Credit. Payments can be made towards arrears and for future energy
consumption.
 Energy Supplier Trust Funds. At present British Gas, EDF and npower offer
trust funds to help consumers pay off debt. For further information and
application forms, call 01733 421060.
Disconnection
If you are threatened with disconnection, contact your supplier straight away. You may
still be able to come to an arrangement to pay off arrears. All energy suppliers must
publish a code of practice relating to customers in arrears and disconnections. They
must follow certain timed procedures before disconnection can take place.
You should not have your electricity or gas cut off during winter months
(1 October – 31 March) if:
 you receive a State Pension and live alone
 you live only with other people who are on a State Pension or under the age of
18
 your household includes someone who is disabled or has a long-term illness
Most companies will avoid disconnection at any time of year if a household includes
someone who is vulnerable because of age, health or disability.
If you are faced with the possibility of disconnection, you may wish to discuss the
situation with:




MWW
Social Care Services
Jobcentre Plus/Department for Work and Pensions – information on Community
Care Grants and Crisis Loans
Citizen’s Advice Bureau – debt management advice
Citizens Advice consumer service 08454 04 05 06 – independent advice
on energy services
5
Priority Services Register
Energy providers are required to keep a priority service register for elderly or disabled
customers. You can contact your supplier to ask to be on this register.
You will be entitled to free services which include:
 free annual safety checks
 bills in different formats such as large print or Braille
 quarterly meter reading services
 priority in an emergency
Further reading
Age UK Help with heating costs (Factsheet 1)
Available online at ageuk.org.uk or contact Age UK 0800 169 65 65
Disclaimer
This factsheet contains general advice only. We aim to provide information which is up
to date and accurate but please be aware that certain areas may be subject to change.
Please note that inclusion of services, agencies or companies does not imply
recommendation or endorsement by Carers’ Resource.
Carers’ Resource is not responsible for the contents of external websites.
If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your caring role,
please contact Carers’ Resource:
Harrogate 01423 500555
11 North Park Road, Harrogate, HG1 5PD
Bradford
01274 449660
15 Park View Court, St Paul’s Road, Shipley, BD18 3DZ
Ripon
01765 690222
Community House, Sharow View, Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LE
Skipton
01756 700888
Griffin House, Broughton Hall Business Park, Skipton, BD23 3AN
[email protected]
www.carersresource.org
We can provide this information in other formats (large print, Braille and audio) and in
other languages.
Date of Information: December 2015; revise by December 2016
MWW
6