There is a wide range of support available for Barnet residents, as well as other people who may be in need this winter. Please share the guide below with anyone who may find it useful.
Warmer Homes
The Mayor of London wants to make London a zero-carbon city by 2030, while protecting the most disadvantaged by tackling fuel poverty. To tackle fuel poverty, The Mayor set up The Warmer Homes programme in 2018, designed to support low-income families with poor energy-efficient homes. The programme helps families in fuel poverty by supporting the installation of heating, insulation, renewables, and ventilation.
In 2019 there were 531,000 households in fuel poverty in London, equating to approximately 15% of all households. Helping households become more energy efficient not only reduces energy bills, but also supports net zero emissions targets that be been set by the NHS and the Mayor.
Low-income Londoners are facing an exceptionally challenging period, with the ongoing impacts of coronavirus exacerbated by rising energy prices. With energy bills increasing by approximately 12% since October, the challenge is getting more problematic by the day. As such, The Barnet Group fully supports the Warmer Homes Programme and wants staff members to actively encourage customers at risk of or in fuel poverty to access the programme.
Support available through the programme:
The Warmer Home Programme is led by the Greater London Authority and supported by NHS England / Improvement. It is a pan-London programme offering advice and financial support for fuel poor households. Services are free and include:
- Telephone advice on saving energy and keeping warm at home
- Home energy visits with installation of small measures such as draught excluders
- Advice and support with energy bill debt and billing disputes with suppliers
- Grants of up to £20,000 per household to improve heating and insulation
- Support with applications for energy bill discounts
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is defined by being on means-tested / disability benefits or through a vulnerability assessment by the Warmer Homes Advice Service providers.
How can residents access support?
- Clients can self-refer directly to the Warmer Homes Advise Service providers on the following numbers:
- West London – 0800 365 3005 – GreenDoctorsLDN@groundwork.org.uk
- North and East London – 0300 555 0195 – shine@islington.gov.uk
- South London – 0808 169 1779 – www.cact.org.uk/swtw
- Professionals can refer clients directly via a single point of contact: www.london.gov.uk/warmer-homes-referral
Discretionary housing benefit payments
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) provide financial support to help with rent or housing costs.
Residents can apply for a DHP if they currently claim either:
- Housing Benefit
- The housing element of Universal Credit
DHP funding can help people with housing costs and affected by any of the following:
- The benefit cap
- Removal of the spare room subsidy
- Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates
An applicant can apply for a DHP by completing an online form and then by calling 020 8359 2442 to book an appointment
Application forms can be found online at:
Warm Home Discount
Residents could get £140 off their electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
The money is not paid directly to the resident – it’s a one-off discount on their electricity bill, between October and March.
They may be able to get the discount on their gas bill instead if their supplier provides them with both gas and electricity. They will need to contact their supplier to find out.
There are 2 ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme:
- they get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit – known as the ‘core group’
- they’re on a low income and meet their energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme – known as the ‘broader group’
How they apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depends on how they qualify for the discount.
Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit:
The scheme for the ‘core group’ opened on 18 October 2021. The customer should have received a letter between October and December 2021 telling them how to get the discount if they qualify.
The letter will say if they need to call a helpline by 28 February 2022 to confirm their details.
Their electricity supplier will apply the discount to their bill by 31 March 2022.
If they did not get a letter
They need to contact the Warm Home Discount helpline if they did not get the letter by 31 December and they think they are eligible for the ‘core group’.
Warm Home Discount helpline:
Telephone: 0800 731 0214
Warm Home Discount
Blue Zone, Ground Floor Phase 1
Peel Park
Brunel Way
Blackpool
FY4 5ES
Low Income
Their electricity supplier decides who can get the discount.
The number of discounts suppliers can give is limited. Residents need to check with their supplier as early as possible to see if they are eligible and how to apply.
Check with them even if they were eligible for a discount last year.
Their electricity supplier will apply the discount to their bill by 31 March 2022.
Grants to help pay off energy debts
If customers are in debt with their energy supplier, they may be able to get a grant to help pay it off.
The following energy suppliers offer grants to their customers:
- British Gas Energy Trust – apply for a grant on the British Gas Energy Trust website
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund – apply for a grant on the Scottish Power Hardship Fund website
- Ovo Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the Ovo Energy Fund website
- E.ON Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the E.ON Energy Fund website
- E.ON Next Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the E.ON Next Energy Fund website
- EDF Energy Customer Support Fund – apply for a grant on the EDF Energy Customer Support Fund website
Bulb Energy Fund – apply for a grant on the Bulb Energy Fund website