You may feel you need some extra support or advice in regards to managing your energy bills or making your home more energy efficient. The following pages give details of various grants and agencies that may be able to help you, with details of how to get in touch with them.
Act On Energy
Keeping Coventry Warm
Coventry City Council have commissioned local energy charity Act on Energy to deliver its Keeping Coventry Warm Scheme.
Keeping Coventry Warm provides Coventry residents with free energy saving advice and information.
Support includes:
- Energy bill support
- Support with tariff switching
- Grants for vulnerable and low income residents for boiler repairs/replacements
- DFG funding for heating and insulation measures [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/home-energy-warmth/warm-healthy-homes-disabled-householders-scheme] for low income households, living with long term health conditions
- Energy saving advice
- Signposting to other support where appropriate
If you need more information about Keeping Coventry Warm in a different language, these posters have been created for residents and front line staff to use [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7238/keeping-coventry-warm-posters].
To access any of the support offered through Keeping Coventry Warm, please contact Act on Energy on their free advice line 0800 988 2881 or visit their website [https://actonenergy.org.uk/].
Act on Energy will discuss your query over the phone and, where needed, can arrange a home visit. They will advise on the most appropriate support for your needs and will be able to check your eligibility for the different sources of support available as well as supporting you to apply.
Act On Energy
Household Support Fund
These grants can provide support for those in need of help with food, energy and water bills.
Please visit the Household Support Fund webpages [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/council-tax-benefits/household-support-fund] for more information.
Act On Energy
Winter fuel support payments
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is a £140 rebate off your electricity bill, usually paid between September and March, to help vulnerable customers pay for their energy over the winter.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and you or your partner are the named bill payer and your electricity supplier is part of the scheme you should receive this rebate automatically.
You may also be eligible for this rebate if you receive certain means-tested benefits or are on a low income. Each obligated supplier [https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/eligibility] has different criteria, therefore you will need to contact your supplier directly to see if you qualify.
You can receive the payment even if you have a prepayment meter and the discount won't affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.
For more information call the Government helpline on 0800 731 0214 or visit the Warm Home Discount website [http://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme].
Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter fuel payment helps people to pay their winter energy bills. Most payments are made automatically between November and December.
You will usually get a Winter Fuel Payment automatically if you are above the age threshold for that year and you get the State Pension or another social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction or Child Benefit). This payment will not affect your other benefits.
How much you receive will depend on your age, household and the benefits you receive. To check if you could be eligible and for further information and contact details visit the government Winter Fuel Payment website [http://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment].
Cold Weather Payment
The cold weather payment is a £25 payment made for each period when the local temperature is either recorded as, or forecast to be, an average of zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days, between 1 November and 31 March.
You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you are getting certain benefits. If you are eligible, you should be paid automatically.
If you don't receive your payment but believe you are eligible, call your Jobcentre Plus or pension centre, or if you receive Universal Credit, contact 0800 328 9344. To check if you may be eligible and for more information visit the Cold Weather Payment website [http://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment].
Cold Weather Payments don't affect your other benefits.
Act On Energy
Energy efficiency grants
Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a nationwide Government energy efficiency scheme to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. The larger energy suppliers fund the scheme and work with different contractors to install free or reduced cost energy saving measures such as new boilers and insulation into homes.
To find out if you could be eligible for support, please visit the Council's Energy Company Obligation web page [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/65/home_energy_and_warmth/3078/energy_company_obligation_eco].
Act On Energy
Priority Services Register (PSR)
The Priority Service Register is a scheme that provides extra support to those who may be more vulnerable such as the elderly and very young or those who are chronically sick. The service is available from all electricity and gas suppliers and distributors.
The free services offered can include:
- Advance notice of planned power cuts for customers who depend on their energy supply for medical reasons
- Password protection scheme to protect against bogus callers
- Bill nominee scheme to enable payment of bills via a third party
- Meter repositioning for easier access
- More regular meter readings to reduce estimated bills
- Suitable bills for those with visual impairments (braille, large print, etc)
- Free annual gas safety check
- Debt and disconnection support
- Extra support in the event of supply interruptions
Customers should contact their energy suppliers and distributors directly and sign up to their Priority Service Register. The local distribution company for Coventry is National Grid - 0800 096 3080.
Act On Energy
Other support grants
Fuel Poor Gas Connections - Affordable Warmth Solutions
As part of a Government scheme, Affordable Warmth Solutions is able to offer FREE or discounted gas connections to qualifying households (those in fuel poverty or on certain benefits or living in designated areas). Visit Cadent's Fuel Poor Gas Connections website [http://cadentgas.com/Get-connected/Free-or-discounted-connections] to find out more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Locking Cooker Valves - Cadent
Free installation by a Cadent engineer of a locking cooker valve for vulnerable people. This is a simple safety device attached to the gas cooker or hob pipework that allows carers or relatives to lock the valve so if the cooker is unintentionally turned on or left on when you are out of the room, there is no risk of gas escaping. For more information and to apply for this service, visit Cadent's Free Locking Cooker Valves website [http://cadentgas.com/Emergencies-safety/Safeguarding/Locking-Cooker-Valves].
Forces For Warmth - National Energy Action and the Royal British Legion
Forces for Warmth is a partnership between NEA (National Energy Action) and the RBL (Royal British Legion) and is funded by E.on.
They provide support for vulnerable members of the ex-service (and serving) community who may be experiencing fuel poverty, by working one-to-one with those in need. They are able to negotiate on people's behalf with energy suppliers, identify savings via switching or behavioural change, access potential funding opportunities (according to eligibility) for heating and insulation and apply to Trust funds for fuel debt relief.
Additionally, they can offer free capacity-building training for front line workers and volunteers of armed forces charities and support organisations, and can also give talks & attend ex-service community groups.
For further information please contact call Andy Littlewood on 07834 178975 or email forcesforwarmth@nea.org.uk [mailto:forcesforwarmth@nea.org.uk]
Act On Energy
Local support and advice agencies
Act on Energy
Provides free impartial advice to householders on how to be more energy-efficient and reduce their impact on the environment. Act on Energy is a registered charity.
- Telephone: 0800 988 2881
- E-mail: advice@actonenergy.org.uk [mailto:advice@actonenergy.org.uk]
- Act on Energy website [http://www.actonenergy.org.uk]
Age UK
Age UK provides a range of services to advise and support older people. Their services include Trusted Traders, a service offering contact with tradespeople who have been vetted by Age UK, working with the Council's Trading Standards. Contact and Connect, a service providing information and makes referrals on your behalf to a whole host of local services depending on your needs and circumstances. Information and Advice Sessions - advice on matters such as benefits, health, money and social services. Age UK is a registered charity.
- Address: 7 Warwick Row, Coventry, CV1 1EX
- Telephone: 024 7623 1999
- Age UK Coventry website [http://www.ageuk.org.uk/coventry/]
Coventry Citizens Advice
Worried about the cost of energy? Our energy advisers can offer help and advice on all energy-related issues from problems with bills to accessing benefits and grants.
How we can help?
- Help to understand energy bills
- Check benefit entitlements to maximise income
- Support with energy grants and schemes to improve the energy efficiency of the home
- Offer energy efficiency advice and tips to save energy
- Give information about the cost of living package
- Could help to reduce annual water bill
- Help to sign up for Priority Services Register
- Give general advice and signposting to other agencies
To book your one-to-one appointment with an adviser call 024 7625 3190 or email us at energyteam@coventrycab.org.uk [mailto:H sllib ygrene dnatsrednu ot ple ⢠C ot stnemeltitne tifeneb kceh m emocni esimixa ⢠S dna stnarg ygrene htiw troppu s ygrene eht evorpmi ot semehc e emoh fo ycneiciff ⢠O ecivda ycneiciffe ygrene reff a ygrene evas ot spit dn ⢠G tsoC eht tuoba noitamrofni evi o egakcaP gniviL f ⢠C launna ecuder ot pleh dluo w llib reta ⢠H ytiroirP rof pu ngis ot ple S retsigeR secivre ⢠G dna ecivda lareneg evi s seicnega rehto ot gnitsopngi]
For professionals
If you would like to refer someone or would like our advisers to visit your venue to deliver a group session and one-to-one advice, please get in touch via email: energyteam@coventrycab.org.uk [mailto:H sllib ygrene dnatsrednu ot ple ⢠C ot stnemeltitne tifeneb kceh m emocni esimixa ⢠S dna stnarg ygrene htiw troppu s ygrene eht evorpmi ot semehc e emoh fo ycneiciff ⢠O ecivda ycneiciffe ygrene reff a ygrene evas ot spit dn ⢠G tsoC eht tuoba noitamrofni evi o egakcaP gniviL f ⢠C launna ecuder ot pleh dluo w llib reta ⢠H ytiroirP rof pu ngis ot ple S retsigeR secivre ⢠G dna ecivda lareneg evi s seicnega rehto ot gnitsopngi]
For general enquiries
Kirby House, Little Park Street, Coventry CV1 2JZ
Tel: 0800 144 8848
Coventry Citizens Advice website [https://www.coventrycitizensadvice.org.uk/]
National Energy Action Coventry (NEA)
Local advice on energy issues and fuel poverty/debt. NEA can offer this advice over the phone or at their office but will also carry out home visits. NEA Coventry attends events, giving advice to residents and talks to community groups and staff to keep them up to date on everything related to fuel poverty. This service is available to everyone and people can call for an appointment. Frontline workers can also refer people for help. NEA is a registered charity
- Harp Place, 2 Sandy Lane, Coventry CV1 4DX
- Telephone: 024 7655 9191
- National Energy Action Coventry (NEA) website [http://www.nea.org.uk]
Coventry Independent Advice Service
Coventry Independent Advice Service is a charity that offers free, confidential advice, information and support to all Coventry residents. They can help with, identifying entitlement to benefits and helping you make claims, debt issues and housing advice, amongst others.
Drop-in advice sessions are run in 11 areas of the city at Family Hubs [/familyhubs], libraries and community centres. You can go along to any of the drop-in advice sessions without making an appointment. Find out where and when surgeries are happening:
- Telephone: 024 7652 1100
- Email: info@covadvice.org.uk [mailto:info@covadvice.org.uk]
- Coventry Independent Advice Service website [http://covadvice.org.uk/]
Act On Energy
National support and advice agencies
Citizens Advice [http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk]
Provides free and independent consumer advice on a wide range of issues including energy use.
Energy Ombudsman [http://www.ombudsman-services.org/energy]
Acts as an independent broker to resolve complaints between energy suppliers and customers. This service is approved by Ofgem and customers are not charged for using the service.
- Ombudsman Services: Energy, PO Box 966, Warrington, WA4 9DF
- Tel: 0330 440 1624
- E-mail: osenquiries@os-energy.org [mailto:osenquiries@os-energy.org]
Energy Saving Trust
Advice on saving money in your home through energy-saving tips and home improvements [https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-at-home/].
Energy suppliers
Call your supplier if you are struggling to pay your energy bill as soon as you are able. Your supplier will also be able to tell you if you are on their cheapest tariff and if there are any grants/further help you may be entitled to. Your supplier's phone number can usually be found on your most recent bill. To find out the energy supplier of a property in Coventry, contact the following with details of the address and/or meter serial number:
Gas - Call the Meter Point Administration Service on 0870 608 1524.
Electricity - Call Western Power Distribution on 0800 096 3080. The local distribution company for Coventry is Western Power Distribution.
British Gas Energy Trust [https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/]
E.ON Next Energy Fund [https://www.eonnextenergyfund.com/]
Financial support, replacement of inefficient white goods and debt write-off for eligible customers struggling to pay their bills.
National Energy Action [http://www.nea.org.uk]
A national organisation that campaigns to end fuel poverty.
Tel: 0191 261 5677
National Insulation Association [http://www.nia-uk.org]
A trade association for cavity wall, external and internal wall, loft and roof insulation. Website provides a directory of local installers.
Ofgem [http://www.ofgem.gov.uk]
The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets. Their main duty is to protect the interests of gas and electricity consumers both now and in the future. They offer advice on switching, tariffs, complaints, smart meters and more.
Scope - Disability Energy Support [https://www.scope.org.uk/disability-energy-support/]
Charity offering free energy advice to disabled people
- Tel: 0808 801 0828
- Email: Disability.EnergySupport@scope.org.uk [mailto:Disability.EnergySupport@scope.org.uk]