Fuel Poverty
An Adviser's Guide to Referral Networks
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What is fuel poverty?
Fuel poverty is when you cannot afford to heat your home.
This can mean living in a cold, damp house, struggling to pay your fuel bills - or both.
Why tackle it?
Living in a cold home can cause ill health, make existing illness worse, deepen poverty and debt and have a negative impact on children's education. No one deserves to live in such conditions - solutions are available.
Who is fuel poor?
Anybody can be fuel poor. However, pensioners or people on low incomes, in poor housing, who live alone, or are at home a lot are most likely to live in fuel poverty.
How to recognise fuel poverty
If you're in someone's home it may be cold or there may be obvious signs of dampness. If they come to see you they may have a fuel debt, a cold-related illness or be on a low income.
A good way to identify people who need help is to ask them questions such as:
- Is there any part of your home that is cold, damp or draughty?
- Do you often get ill in the winter?
- Do you struggle to pay your fuel bill or have a fuel debt?
- You might be entitled to benefits or tax credits. Would you like some help in finding out?
You might not normally think of asking your clients these kinds of questions. If you don't ask them, however, you won't uncover the problem or be able to refer people for the help they need.
How to tackle fuel poverty
There is no single cause of fuel poverty and therefore no single solution. Whilst your agency may be able to address part of the problem, no one agency on its own can offer a comprehensive solution.
Making referrals to other agencies and encouraging them to make referrals to you means that the client can access all the help that is available.
Meeting up with the other agencies from time to time can also help improve the service clients receive.
This booklet aims to help identify some of the agencies you can refer to for specific help with tackling low income, poor energy efficiency and high fuel bills. The numbers listed opposite will give advice and assistance wherever you live, and can also direct you to agencies in your local area that can help.
Tackling low income
Benefits and money advice are two key elements in tackling fuel poverty as they can help increase a household's disposable income.
Benefits advice
The benefits system is complex and millions of pounds of benefits go unclaimed every year. It is vital that a client is referred to an agency with expertise in helping people access the benefits they are entitled to.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau can provide such help. Find details of your local CAB on www.cas.org.uk or by phoning 0131 550 1000.
Information and assistance to claim benefits can also be obtained from the Scottish Helpline for Older People, which is managed by Age Concern Scotland, (telephone 0845 125 9732), or by contacting your council welfare rights team.
Money advice
Debt is an increasing problem affecting thousands of people in Scotland. Often people don't know how to get out of the spiral of debt. Assisting people to manage their debts can help increase their disposable income and pay their fuel bills.
For advice and assistance on money management, phone the National Debt Helpline on 0808 808 4000.
Alternatively, your local CAB or council money advice service can help.
Tackling poor energy efficiency
Many houses have poor energy efficiency, meaning that they are difficult and expensive to heat. Improving energy efficiency can make staying warm more affordable.
Central heating, insulation and draught proofing are some of the ways of saving money or increasing comfort. Grants, like the Warm Deal and the Central Heating Programme, may be available for such improvements. Energy advice can also help reduce your fuel bills.
To access local specialist advice and information on grants, contact your Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012 or www.est.org.uk
Tackling high fuel bills
Often people pay more than they need to for their gas and electricity. Savings can often be made by changing supplier. There are also various payment options available, which can reduce bills further.
energywatch, the gas and electricity watchdog, can advise on payment methods and the cheapest suppliers in your area. They can also help people who fall behind with their fuel bills, negotiating the best payment arrangement for customers in debt.
Contact energywatch on 08459 06 07 08www.energywatch.org.uk
No single measure will alleviate fuel poverty. Therefore try and ensure people receive all the help they need.
Increase income
Citizens Advice Bureaux on 0131 550 1000
Scottish Helpline for Older People on 0845 125 9732
National Debt Helpline on 0808 808 4000
Improve energy efficiency
Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012
Reduce fuel bills
energywatch on 08459 06 07 08
Training and further information on fuel poverty
Energy Action Scotland on 0141 226 3064
These national numbers can provide help and assistance wherever you live.
There are also agencies working in your local area that can provide expert help, such as council advice shops and independent advice centres. These will be listed in your phone book or yellow pages.
Please use the space below to note down such useful contacts:
Electronic copies of this leaflet are available at www.scotland.gov.uk
For further paper copies please contact Scottish Executive on 0131 244 0516