With heating prices rising dramatically, we need to spread the word of how to save money for those who have the least.
Blog by Jamie Stewart, Housing Officer
The leaves are on the ground, there is a nip in the air and (as they say) the nights are drawing in. Yes, winter is on the way and we will all need to prepare for it. On 21 October, the Scottish Government will launch their annual “Ready for Winter” campaign, designed to provide you with hints and tips on how to survive the cold weather. However, for many of us, just paying the heating bills will be the greatest challenge we will face this winter. With rocketing gas and electricity prices, rising costs of living and welfare benefit cuts, fuel poverty is on the up. And, with recent reports suggesting that refugees are being asked to integrate into poverty, refugees are likely to feel the effects of fuel poverty even more keenly.
The right benefits
However, there are things you can do to ensure alleviate the effects of fuel poverty on your household. To start with, you should ensure that you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. This could include more mainstream benefits such as tax credits or, if you are over the age of 61, you could qualify for a winter fuel payment of between £100 and £300. Organisations such as the Citizen’s Advice Bureau offer welfare benefits checks designed to make sure you are getting everything that you are entitled to (to find your nearest bureau visit http://www.cas.org.uk/).
A discount for you?
Secondly, you should contact your energy supplier to see if you qualify for assistance with your bill through one of their grant and discount schemes. Most energy providers will automatically offer a “Warm Homes Discount” of £135 per year to those on the guaranteed element of pension credit. Some (such as EDF, Scottish Power or British Gas) will also offer this discount to people getting Income Support, Income-Based Job-Seeker’s Allowance, Income Related Employment Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit and a number of disability benefits.
Challenge the landlord
Thirdly, if you rent your home from a Council, Housing Association or private landlord and feel that it is too expensive to heat, because of a problem or defect in the building, you should contact your landlord and ask them to resolve the problem. Landlords have a duty to provide accommodation which can be heated at “a reasonable cost”. If you feel that you have a problem with your accommodation and your landlord refuses to resolve this, you may be able to take action against your landlord.
Conserving energy
There are also a number of schemes available to help you to conserve energy and, therefore, save money on your energy bills: Some councils, for example, offer local grants for energy efficiency measures so it is worth contacting them to see if you may be entitled to anything. With an extra £9 million released by the Scottish Government, such schemes may become more available in the coming months.
If you own your home or rent privately, you could get free insulation and heating assistance through the Scottish Government’s “Affordable Warmth” scheme. You can also get affordable financing for energy efficiency measures through the Green Deal and money back through the Green Homes Cashback Scheme. You can find out more about these schemes at http://www.greenerscotland.org/warm-homes/advice-grants.
Spreading the word
The reality of poverty and fuel poverty amongst refugees in Scotland is unacceptable and more needs to be done to ensure that refugees are able to access the increased incomes, better housing and increased life chances.
Scottish Refugee Council will continue to campaign for something better. However, until that happens, fuel poverty is a reality and we all need to make best use of the options available to alleviate the effects.
And if you know someone, who could benefit from these tips on saving money on heating, please do pass them on.
