Energy Saving Advice and Grants

This year, many more of us may need support with our energy bills and staying warm this winter. If you are worried about paying your fuel bills you are not alone, millions of people in England live in cold homes and this is something we are trying to tackle in Doncaster. This page has tips and advice that could help you stay warm, save money and improve your physical and mental health.

Energy Price Information

From 1st January - 31st March 2024, the Energy Price Cap will increase slightly. for those living in Yorkshire the rates will be:

  • Electricity
    Unit rate: 27.79p per kWh​
  • Gas 
    Unit rate: 7.35p per kWh

Between January and March 2024 average standing charges for customers on default tariffs will be capped at 56.00p per day for electricity and 29.60p per day for gas for a typical dual fuel customer paying by direct debit.

For information about where to get support for your energy bills, please visit Help for Households.

This is a cap on the price per unit of electricity and gas, as well as the standing charge. If you use more energy, your bills could still be higher. There is no total cap on what you pay.   

Available Help and Support

This year, many more of us may need support with our energy bills, often for the first time. Below is more information on the range of help available to support you with your bills.

Citizens Advice Doncaster 

Look on Citizens Advice Doncaster website or visit your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau for information on what to do if you are struggling to pay your bills, how to read your meter, what to do if there's a problem with your energy bill or supply, or for more information on energy bills.

Citizen Advice Doncaster’s Energy Advisers are able to support with the following:

  • Benefit Checks as part of Income Maximisation
  • Energy Efficiency support and guidance
  • Information and support on the Priority Services Register, Warm Homes Discount and other possible scheme and grants
  • Advice on energy complaints
  • Smart Meter information & advice
  • Carbon Monoxide awareness
  • Fuel vouchers and other energy saving appliances (bulbs, radiator covers, door stops etc.)

 Appointments can be over the phone or in person at any of their offices. Call 01302 243057 or email advice@citizensadvice-doncasterborough.org

Welcoming Spaces

There are lots of spaces across Doncaster that provide a safe, supportive, warm space to help you relieve the pressure to heat your home as well as providing access to information, advice and guidance. Anybody is able to access a Welcoming Space by simply walking in. 

To find your local Welcoming Space, or to let others know about a Welcoming Space you are running visit the Warm Welcome database.

Live Inclusive 

Live Inclusive is a disability charity based in Doncaster. They support anyone with any kind of disability or long term health condition. Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund, they can offer:

Benefits Advice & Information - Their experienced advice worker will be able to undertake a benefit check and support you (or your carer) to claim benefit support.  They can also provide you with a range of advice and information that can help you live more independently.

Energy Advice - Their energy advisers are fully qualified and can support you to assess your energy use and perhaps reduce your bills; at the same time, helping you stay warm and healthy during the winter months. They can offer you support to liaise with your energy providers and can signpost you to additional sources of support.  They can also provide small energy saving products for free - subject to availability.

Inclusive Voices - A Peer Support & Social Group meets on a monthly basis at Cast Theatre. Come along for a coffee and a chat and share information, or learn something new.

Call 01302 592400 for more information, or email:  admin@liveinclusive.org.uk

Money Helper 

Look on MoneyHelper website for free guidance provided by the Money and Pensions Service.

The Money and Pensions service is sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. It has a joint commitment to ensure that people throughout the UK have guidance and access to the information they need to make effective financial decisions over their lifetime.

Community First Credit Union

The main credit union in Doncaster is Community First Credit Union (formerly South Yorkshire Credit Union).

Credit unions offer an easy way to save and financial services such as low-cost loans.

Good features of Credit Unions.

  • Easier to open a credit union account than a bank or building society account
  • Basic banking services such as standing orders to pay bills and rent
  • Easy to save as much as you like at local collection points or direct from your wages
  • South Yorkshire Credit Union pays an annual dividend based on the performance of the credit union over the past year
  • Credit unions offer low cost loans to their members
  • Savings are insured by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Members can also benefit from the following:

  • Debt advice
  • Budgeting advice
  • Help with choosing credit
  • Support and encouragement to save

 How do I join?

You will need to fill in an application form and provide proof of your identity and where you live.

How can I find out more and contact Community First Credit Union?

You can call Community First Credit Union on 0303 030 0010 or visit one of their offices

  • Doncaster branch: Unit 6, Colonnades Shopping Centre, DN1 3EG
  • Mexborough branch: 1 Main Street, Mexborough, S64 9LU
  • Scawthorpe branch:13 Crossland Way, Scawthorpe, DN5 9EX
  • Stainforth branch: 8 Station Road, Stainforth, DN7 5QA

Yorkshire Water Support

Yorkshire Water offer several schemes that could help you save money on your water bills, or to support with packs to help you save water. For more information please visit Yorkshire Water's website or alternatively you can call them on 0345 124 2424.  

Priority Service Register

The Priority Services Register is a free support service to help people in vulnerable situations. Energy suppliers and network operators offer it and each one keeps their own register.  
 
You will need to get in touch with your energy supplier or network operator to get on it. To check your eligibility and find out more information go to Ofgem's website.  

Grants Available

For advice on any of the support available or grants listed below, please fill out our energy advice and support web-form. If you are directing someone to energy support who is unable to access the internet,  please call Sustainability Unit on 01302 737053.

Boiler on Prescription Grant

As a homeowner, if your boiler does not work properly or is broken and you experience ill health you might be able to get central heating installed. The following are a list of the conditions that apply:

    • Chronic Heart Condition,
    • Stroke
    • Cancer
    • Complex Conditions
    • Those who don't have the finances to replace/ repair a faulty central heating system or install it for the first time
Each case must be assessed by the Council's Sustainability Unit. For more information on the application process, please visit the Affordable Warmth Privacy Notice

Energy Company Obligation Scheme

Under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme energy efficiency measures including but not limited to insulation and heating can be partially funded, but first requires a free survey to understand what is required and to confirm eligibility.

This grant is available to those receiving one of the following benefit:

  • Child Benefit* 
  • Pension Guarantee Credit
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
  • Income Support
  • Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)
  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit Savings Credit 
  • Housing Benefit 

*Child Benefit qualification is subject to gross annual household earnings

Please visit the Trustmark to find approved contractors who support the ECO scheme in your area.  Ask if they are registered with the ECO scheme and what they can offer. 

For more information, visit Local Authority Flexible Eligibility Statement Of Intent - Doncaster Council

Household Support Fund

If you need extra support with the cost of living, you may be eligible for the Household Support Fund.

Almost six million pounds of Government funding has been allocated to City of Doncaster Council which will be used to support with food for families with children during school holidays, provide working age households with assistance towards their energy bills, and aid food and hygiene banks.

If you receive any of the following, you will be eligible for support:

  • Housing Benefits
  • Local Council Tax Reduction
  • Universal Credit
  • Means-tested free school meals.

Those that received a payment under the previous Household Support Fund and still qualify will automatically receive the payments and do not need to re-apply.  If you did not receive a payment under the previous funding and now meet the criteria, please apply through the City of Doncaster Council website. Food support applications close on 29 September 2023 at 5pm, whilst energy support applications will open in October 2023 and close on 16 February 2024 at 5pm.  Please be aware that applications may close earlier if funding is spent.

To find out more about local support, when payments are scheduled, and how to apply, visit the City of Doncaster Council website.

Warm Home Discount

You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The scheme will open from November 2023.

The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October and March. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out. 

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born on or before 25th September 1957 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. The amount you get includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’. This is between £150 and £300. You’ll only get this extra amount in winter 2023 to 2024. This is in addition to any Cost of Living payment you get with your benefit or tax credits.

You will get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically (you do not need to claim) if you are eligible and either:

  • get the state pension
  • get another social security benefit (not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit)

Cold Weather Payment

You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you are getting certain benefits or support for mortgage interest. 

You will get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 days in a row. You’ll get £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. The scheme will open from 1 November 2023. 

Park Homes Grant

If you’re a permanent resident living in a Park Home and you pay for your electricity directly to your park site owner you can apply for a £150 payment. Funding is limited and applications will be considered on a first come first served basis. Only one application per household will be allowed. To find out more visit the Charis website

 

Get in touch

For more information contact the Sustainability Unit using the following details. Please be aware the best and quickest way to contact us is through our online webform: 

If you are directing someone to energy support who is unable to access the internet,  please call The Sustainability Unit on 01302 737053.

Last updated: 04 January 2024 12:06:53

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