15 February 2008 – Elderly urged to apply for help heating and insulating their homes

People receiving Pension Credit are being urged to apply for grants to help insulate their homes against the cold and rising fuel bills.

Following recent well-publicised increases in energy prices, it’s more important than ever that people apply for all the help available to them to make their homes energy efficient and keep the warmth in.

Minister for Pensions Reform Mike O’Brien said:

“As much as £1 in every £3 spent on heating bills is wasted in poorly insulated homes.

“If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord, you may be eligible for a free grant to insulate your walls and loft. This is in addition to the Winter Fuel Payment of £200, rising to £300 for people over 80, which has benefited more than 11.6 million pensioners this year.

“The grant is available through the Government’s Warm Front scheme. It’s free to call, so I urge all people getting Pension Credit to ring the Energy Advice Line to find out if they are eligible for further help.”

Environment Minister Phil Woolas said:

“We’re seeing energy prices on the increase so it’s more important than ever that homes are energy efficient and everyone receives the financial help they’re entitled to.

“Insulating your home or improving your boiler can make a big difference to energy bills by stopping huge amounts of heat escaping and ensuring you use your energy more effectively which is why the Government is helping by providing funding for the people who need assistance – everyone’s home needs to be energy efficient all year round and it’s never too early to look ahead to keeping warm next winter.”

Around quarter of a million eligible people on pension credit in England, Scotland and Wales have been sent a letter to encourage people to apply for the funding they may be entitled to, including grants to install insulation.  However, people that have not been sent a letter may still be eligible and can find out more and apply by phoning the Energy Advice Line on 0800 027 7668.

Notes to Editors

1. The Energy Advice Line is a free, impartial service It is open from 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am – 1.00pm Saturday. People can call 0800 027 7668 for further information.
2. DEFRA’s Warm Front scheme, improves home heating and energy efficiency. See www.warmfront.co.uk. Warm Front Grants are available in England only; other schemes operate in Scotland(Central Heating Programme and Warm Deal and Wales (Home energy Efficiency Scheme).
3. The Winter Fuel Payment is one of a number of initiatives the government has introduced to help older people keep warm and well during the winter months.
4. Its not too late to claim Winter Fuel Payments. People over 60 who are newly eligible and who need to claim, and have not already received a claim form, can get one by visiting the Winter Fuel Payment website – www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel, by calling the helpline on 08459 15 15 15 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users).

Media enquiries: John McNally 0207 340 4005, Ben Lloyd 020 3267 5136
DWP Press office: 020 33 267 5144
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Textphone: 020 3267 5145
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk