Help with energy bills

In response to the significant rise in energy prices, the government announced in February that they would be issuing a £200 discount on energy bills for all bill-payers, repayable over the following months. Now, the government has increased the discount to £400 and removed the need to repay it.

The discount will be automatically deducted from bill payers’ usual payment method – either credited to the account of those paying through direct debit, or to the cards of those paying through a pre-pay method. Shared Lives carers and Householders, if they are bill payers in their household, will automatically qualify for this discount and do not need to take any action.

Billions of pounds of grants go unclaimed each year, and there are several open to people with caring needs. When you apply for a grant, you’ll have to provide detailed information about your financial situation in your application. For more information see the Simple Energy Advice website here.

Priority Services Register

Energy providers all have a vulnerability register called a “Priority Services Register” that can provide extra protections and adaptions for those caring for vulnerable people. You or a member of your household could be classed as vulnerable if you:

• are disabled or have a long-term health condition
• are recovering from an injury
• have mental health problems
• don’t speak or read English well
• have children under 5 or are pregnant
• have reached your State Pension age

The list of potential extra services is quite long and varies by energy supplier, but may include advance notice of power cuts, meter reading and priority support during emergencies.

If you think that your household might benefit from the Priority Services Register, start by contacting your supplier. You will your supplier details your latest bill or by searching online. When you speak to your supplier, mention that a member of your household is dependent on a consistent energy supply due to a medical condition, if this is the case. Suppliers will then be able to pass on your details to the network operator.

If you are struggling with your bills

If at any time you find it difficult to keep up with energy bills, your supplier has a duty to help. You can ask your energy supplier for:

• a review of your payments or debt repayments
• payment breaks or reductions
• more time to pay your bills
• access to hardship funds
• Priority Service registration.

Pre-payment meters

Pre-payment meters offer friendly credit which means you can’t be cut off in certain times if your meter runs out. It is there to protect you if you start running out of credit when the shops are closed and means you won’t be cut off if you run out of credit during evenings, weekends, and bank holidays. See here for more information.

Is it worth changing energy supplier?

The easiest way to save money on energy historically has been to switch energy regularly to ensure you’re on a good deal. With wholesale energy prices still high, though, most people may find that staying put now is preferable.

To check if this is the best course of action for you, there are many energy supplier comparison sites such as USwitch who can help you decide.

Draught proofing

Public Health England recommend that you heat your home to at least 18°C (65°F). If your house is too cold, it can cause problems with damp, mould, and mildew.

A big cost-cutting measure can be to ensure the heat you generate in your home is not lost. Saving warm air means you’ll use less energy to heat your home, so you’ll save money as well as making your home snug and warm.

Which? Recommend that you start by looking around your house for uncovered gaps and openings to the outside. Such as:

• windows and doors
• keyholes and letterboxes
• chimneys and fireplaces
• floorboards and skirting boards
• loft hatches
• pipework
• cracks in walls
• gaps around electricity fittings on walls and ceilings.

Make sure you keep outside ventilation in areas where there are open fires or flues, and in rooms where moisture is produced, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

• Don’t seal kitchen and bathroom windows – the gaps will let out steam and reduce the risk of damp.
• Instead, seal the inner doors to these rooms, so that once the door is closed you know the warm air from the rest of the house isn’t escaping.

Don’t forget to draw curtains at dusk and to keep draughts out and make sure your radiators are not obstructed by furniture or curtains.

Energy efficiency

The Energy Saving Trust have several energy-saving tips, including:

• Switch off standby: You can save around £55 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.
• Turn off lights: You can save around £20 a year just by turning your lights off when you’re not using them or when you leave a room.
• Use your washing machine wisely: If you use a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures and do one load less a week for a year, you can achieve a £28 saving.
• Drying: Dry clothes on racks inside where possible or outside in warmer weather to save £60 a year.
• The cost of a cuppa: Avoid overfilling the kettle and save yourself £11 a year on your electricity bill.
• Shower vs bath: Swapping just one bath a week with a 4-minute shower could save you £12 a year on your energy bills.

Move a little or a lot

Exercise will not only keep you healthy, but it can also keep you warm over the colder winter months. If possible, try to move around least once an hour. The British Heart Foundation have a range of gentle exercises which can be performed at home to keep the blood flowing. They recommend keeping as active as possible to boost your circulation, even light exercise will help keep you warm.

Remember to speak to your GP before starting any exercise plans to ensure they are tailored for your needs and abilities.

If you have any questions regarding these resources, please email membership@sharedlivesplus.org.uk