Grants to help keep warm (Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats)

Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats <info@garstonld.org.uk>

Grants to help keep warm

November 4, 2008 12:00 AM

UP TO 30,000 people in Liverpool could receive grants worth thousands of pounds to keep their homes warm.

The city council has teamed up with the government-funded Warm Front Team to write to people on benefits inviting them to apply for a grant of up to £2,700.

Those on qualifying benefits who own their own homes, or rent a private property, could be entitled to a grant towards energy-efficient measures including loft and cavity-wall insulation, draught proofing, heating and energy-saving light bulbs.

A £300 heating rebate is also available for people over 60 towards the cost of a central heating system, or related repairs if they do not receive benefits.

Application forms inviting people to apply for the grant are dropping through letter boxes across the city. The forms also include details of who is entitled to help, and a freephone helpline provided by Warm Front.

Deputy council leader and executive member for finance, Councillor Flo Clucas, said: "We have all been hit in the pocket by massive increases in the cost of heating recently, and this initiative helps save people money by making their homes more energy efficient.

"I am pleased that we have been able to team up with the Warm Front Team to target those who we believe could benefit from this scheme."

The project is being co-ordinated by the Benefits Service, which is run by Liverpool Direct Limited (LDL), the city council's joint venture partnership with BT. It has identified people who it believes may be eligible, and is writing to them on behalf of the Warm Front Team.

Councillor Steve Hurst, Executive Member for Corporate Performance, which includes Liverpool Direct, added: "It is estimated that in a typical home, half the heat that is lost escapes through the walls and the loft.

"The cost to both the environment and the individual who lives in the property is immense and this scheme is a real win-win for everyone."

People on the following benefits are eligible:

• Working Tax Credit (with an income of less than £15,460 and a disability element)

• Child Tax Credit (with an income of less than £15,460)

• Attendance Allowance

• Disability Living Allowance

• Pension Credit

• Income Support*

• Income based Jobseekers Allowance (if you are aged 60+)

• Housing Benefit*

• Council tax benefit*

• War Disablement Premium (must include the mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance)

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (must include constant attendance allowance

Warm Front Director Hayley Peters said: "This direct mail campaign will raise awareness of the fuel poverty issue among those people most affected.

"The Warm Front scheme is more popular than it ever has been and current demands mean people applying now will receive their installations next year.

"In the meantime, making sure they're claiming the benefits they're entitled to through Benefit Entitlement Checks and making their homes more energy efficient and there's lots of cheap and even free ways of doing this.

"Lodging applications for the energy schemes they're entitled to will go a long way to making sure houshold income in maximised and fuel bills are as low as they can be."

Once an application has been received, the Warm Front Team will get in touch to arrange a visit to assess the improvements they may be entitled to.

Anyone who has any queries can call 0800 408 0681, quoting reference number MK939. An application can also be made online at www.warmfront.co.uk