There are several ways to get help if you are having problems paying fuel bills or keeping warm affordably.
Warm Front
The Warm Front Scheme makes homes warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient. The Scheme offers a package of heating and insulation measures of up to £3,500 (or £6,000 where oil central heating or other alternative technologies are recommended). It is for people on certain income-related benefits. To be eligible you must own your home or rent it from a private landlord. Find out more from the DirectGov: Warm Front Scheme in England web page.
Carillion Energy Services administers Warm Front across England, and DECC is responsible for ensuring the scheme tackles fuel poverty cost effectively.
You can find out if you are eligible for heating and insulation measures in your home on the DirectGov: Warm Front Scheme in England web page. You can apply to the scheme on the Directgov: Warm Front Scheme web pages.
You can also call Carillion Energy Services on freephone 0800 316 2805, text phone 0800 0720156 or email enquiry@carillionplc.com
If you have any concerns about the way Carillion Energy Services manages the scheme, or your particular application, please email us at fuel.poverty@decc.gsi.gov.uk
Similar schemes are also available in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland (the Nest programme in Wales, Energy Assistance Package Scheme in Scotland and Warm Homes Scheme in Northern Ireland).
21 March: Publication of the Government response to the consultation on amending reference to the Warm Front eligibility criteria
(as set out in the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy 2001)
The Government response to the consultation on amending reference to the Warm Front eligibility criteria has been now been published.
The consultation was published on 15 December 2010 and ran for 8 weeks to 9 February 2011. A total of 56 written responses were received from a range of respondents. After taking account of the responses to the consultation and supporting evidence, it has been decided that the Warm Front scheme eligibility will be determined using a set of income related benefits, mirroring those used to identify Cold Weather Payment recipients, as well as the introduction of a thermal efficiency test in relation to the applicant’s property.
To reflect the eligibility changes, the reference to the Warm Front scheme within the existing UK Fuel Poverty Strategy 2001 will be revised. Further information on these changes can be found on the the Fuel Poverty page.
DECC will shortly lay amendments to the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (England) Regulations 2005 to legislate for the eligibility criteria as set out in the response. The aim is to ensure that the scheme can begin to accept new applications against the revised eligibility criteria from the date the regulations come into force, being as early in the next financial year as possible. Further information will be posted on this site when available.
15 December 2010: Temporary refusal of applications to the Warm Front scheme
The Warm Front scheme is funded by Government, and has an annual allocated budget . Due to the high levels of demand for the scheme funding for this year has now been fully allocated. As a result, we are no longer able to accept new applications for the scheme.
If you have already applied for the scheme, your application will continue to be processed and you will receive the recommended measures agreed at the time of survey. All existing applications to Warm Front will be fully honoured and completed by the end of March 2011. All existing installations will continue to be serviced for two years from installation through the after care service provided by Warmsure.
Further information, when available, can be found on the scheme’s Directgov: Warm Front Scheme web pages.
The Government is committed to ensuring that Warm Front will be a better targeted programme to help the most vulnerable receive free or subsidised heating and insulation measures. A consultation was undertaken on the future eligibility for assistance through the Scheme.
Details of the consultation and the Government response can be found on the Consultation on amending reference to the Warm Front Scheme eligibility criteria page.
The following sets out the Equality Impact Assessment carried out for the temporary refusal of applications to the Warm Front scheme:
Warm Front reports
Recent Warm Front Scheme reports can be found below:
Additional Warm Front information
If you are not eligible for Warm Front, you can get practical advice on how to reduce your fuel bills from the Energy Saving Trust.
The DirectGov: Energy saving and generation web pages also provide advice and information on reducing the amount of energy you use in your home. And you could save up to £200 each year by switching fuel suppliers and payment methods - the Consumer Focus website has more details.
Spending Review 2010
As announced in the Spending Review by the Chancellor on 20 October 2010, DECC will continue to fund a smaller, targeted Warm Front programme for the next two years. From 2013 support for heating and insulation for the most vulnerable will be delivered through the Green Deal and a new obligation on energy companies.
The Warm Front budget for 2010/11 remains unchanged and measures will continue to be delivered throughout the year.
Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99)
Home Heat Helpline aims to encourage vulnerable customers to talk to their energy suppliers, either directly or through third parties. Trained advisers can assess each caller’s benefit entitlement, and if necessary put them in touch with their energy supplier's priority care team.
Other places to get help and advice