Winter Support for Care Experienced Individuals

This winter period is going to be a cold one. Jade, our Participation Officer has created a helpful information resource packed with tips and support for care experienced individuals to help them save money on their energy and utility bills, while still keeping warm this winter.

Findings from In Their Own Words Cost of Living report told us that Advice & Guidance is helpful support during the Cost of Living. This includes learning about budgeting skills, understanding bills, and saving. Helpful information includes tips for economical cooking, shopping, energy saving and signposting to support.

Care Leaver Covenant

Care experienced young people living in certain areas of England are eligible for water discounts up to 90% and energy support.

Areas covered include parts of:

Check if your supplier has a scheme through the Care Leavers Covenant.

 

Cold Weather payments

Cold Weather payments are paid to individuals receiving certain benefits if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.

You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025.

If you are eligible, you should get these payments automatically. Check your eligibility here. However, if you have a baby or if a child under 5 comes to live with you, you must notify the Job Centre. You will not automatically get Cold Weather Payments if you do not.

 

Warm Homes Discount

The Warm Home Discount scheme gives eligible households £150 towards their energy costs every year. It’s available to millions of households in England, Scotland and Wales.

To get the Warm Home Discount, your supplier needs to offer it, plus you need to meet the eligibility criteria. Check the following…

  1. Does your supplier offer the Warm Homes Discount?
  2. Are you (and your home) eligible for the Warm Home Discount?

The Money Saving Expert website has up to date guidance on how to check both of these, including a list of suppliers, and which benefits make you eligible.

 

National House Project – Young Energy Champions

The project aimed to educate young people & staff in House Projects around energy awareness. The Young Energy Champions created a legacy with online resources, films, and podcasts. All these resources can be shared widely to current and future generations of young people.

It includes information on:

Energy Saving tips

Energy Bills

Energy Meters

Condensation, Mould & Damp

Draught proofing

These resources (and more) can be found on their resource hub alongside links to other sites that can support young people around energy. Resources and useful links

 

Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free UK wide service which provides extra advice and support, including when there’s an interruption to gas, electricity or water supply.

Find out more about:

The benefits of signing up to the Priority Services register

Who is eligible for the Priority Services Register

How to sign up to the Priority Servies Register

 

How energy firms may be able to help you

If you’re falling behind with your energy bills, and finding yourself struggling to pay, the best thing to do is contact your supplier as soon as possible. Under rules from regulator Ofgem, your supplier has to help you – usually by negotiating a payment plan that you can afford.

There are a range of options suppliers could offer if you’re struggling, including:

  • A full payment plan review
  • Affordable debt repayment plans
  • Payment breaks (though this won’t be right for everyone)
  • Payment reductions
  • More time to pay
  • Access to hardship funds

What help you can get is decided on a case-by-case basis, but importantly, repayment must be based on your ability to pay. So, get in touch with your supplier as soon as possible.

Some big energy firms also have charitable trusts and funds that can help if you’re in debt and struggling to repay or offer their own winter support packages to further help vulnerable households. For example, Octopus Energy has relaunched its free electric blankets scheme for those most in need. The scheme is available to all Octopus Energy customers, with priority given to those who are medically vulnerable, elderly, or living alone.

Find out more on the Money Saving Expert website.

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