Heating your home
There is help available if you are struggling to afford to heat your home or access the best energy tariff.
The Glasgow Home Energy Advice Team (G.HEAT) provides independent advice on energy related issues to householders, whether tenant or owner occupier, on a face to face basis, in their homes. This free and impartial energy advice and support service is delivered by the Wise Group, in conjunction with Glasgow City Council, to help families across Glasgow.
Advisors carry out home visits and provide face to face advice on ways people can save money spent on fuel bills and use energy more efficiently.
Advisors offer help with understanding fuel bills, and make sure people are able to access the best tariffs available. They will even deal with utility companies on customers’ behalves to deal with fuel arrears and payment plans.
To arrange an, impartial free in-home energy advice visit, call G.HEAT on: 0800 092 9002 or email: g-heat@thewisegroup.co.uk
Problems associated with bills and energy use can be complex, and the face-to-face approach is reaping rewards for people who have contacted G.HEAT. A recent visit helped one resident from Easterhouse resolve a problem with her electricity supply, and recoup almost £3,000 in over paid bills. Click here to read the case study.
Many people are not claiming all the benefits that they could to help keep their home warm
Winter Fuel Payments
Anyone born on or before 5 January 1952 should receive a Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) from the Government. The qualifying age for WFP will rise in line with the state retirement age for women.
People should usually claim in the first year they become eligible. The payment is then paid automatically every year (for winter 2012/13 it was £200 - £300 per household depending on circumstances). See here for more details.
For further information, contact the
Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 08459 15 15 15
Cold Weather Payments
Cold Weather Payments (CWP) of £25 are issued to those meeting the eligibility criteria when the average temperature at the closest weather station falls below 00C for seven consecutive days (during the period 1 November to 31 March).
The payment is made automatically to people receiving Pension Credit. People receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance with one of the benefits listed below may also be eligible:
• pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium
• disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium
• disabled child premium
• Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• family with a child under five
CWP doesn’t affect entitlement to any other benefits.
For further information contact Jobcentre Plus free on 0800 055 6688.
Please note: From 2013 many of the benefits that act as a gateway to CWP will be phased out and replaced by Universal Credit. From 1 November 2013, UC recipients who are unemployed may be entitled to CWP if they/their partner meet one or more of the following conditions:
• receiving limited capability for work element
• receiving limited capability for work element with a work-related activity element
• receiving disabled child element
• have a child under 5 years old in the home
Universal Credit recipients who are employed or self-employed may be entitled to Cold Weather Payments if they have a disabled child.
More energy advice and information
You can get more information on grants, energy and money advice from Energy
For free advice click here to search our database of advice centres across Glasgow or call the GAIN Helpline on 0808 801 1011. Calls are free from land-lines and mobile numbers.