Information for householders in Cornwall Winter 2023/24
Support with rising living costs
0800 954 1956
www.cep.org.uk
Support with rising living costs Index Energy Price Cap
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Energy Tariffs - stick or switch?
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Cost of Living Payment
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Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
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Winter Fuel Payment
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Warm Home Discount Scheme
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Warm Home Discount Scheme - Park Homes
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Cold Weather Payment
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Household Support Fund
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Pension Credit
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Council Tax Support
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Housing Benefit & PIP
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Attendance Allowance & Carer's Allowance
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Beware of energy scams
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Money Management information
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More information & search online
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Energy Actions & About our advice
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Support with rising living costs Energy Price Cap If you’re on a standard tariff, you’ll be paying the Energy Price Cap set by Ofgem. The Energy Price Cap rates are the maximum amount you’ll pay per unit of gas or electricity. will rise by 5% on average from 1st January 2024. The price you pay is dependent on how you pay and the area of the UK you live in. The following rates are the capped Energy Price Cap unit rates for payment by direct debit for households in the South West from 1 January to 31 March 2024:
Electricity Unit rate:
28.43p per kWh
Standing charge:
58.68p per day
Gas Unit rate:
7.62p per kWh
Standing charge:
29.59p per day
From 1 January 2024, a typical household paying by direct debit will pay £1,928/year, which means average bills will rise by 5%.
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Support with rising living costs Energy Tariffs - stick or switch? According to forecasts, rates under the Energy Price Cap are predicted to fall in April 2024. Most fixed deals available are all around the same price, due to the price cap. Serious consideration needs to be given as to if there are any significant savings in switching before the Energy Price Cap rate rises from 1 January 2024: 1. Check your current supplier's fixed energy deals. See how the fixed rate compares with the current Energy Price Cap rate. 2. If the fixed rate is around 1% above the October to December Energy Price Cap rate, or the same or just under, then it may be worth considering switching if you value price certainty or if you’re thinking of switching due to customer service issues. 3. Check with your current supplier if there are any exit fees to pay if you end your contract early. 4. If you are at all uncertain, contact your energy supplier to discuss your options.
Search online for Money Saving Expert Household Bills advice
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Support with rising living costs Cost of Living Payment The Government have made available up to £900 for people receiving certain means-tested benefits. You do not need to apply, so if you're eligible, payments will be made automatically in three instalments, and separately from your benefit payments. The Government advises these payments are tax-free and will not affect the benefits you receive. Two payments have already been made during both spring and summer, with the last instalment due to be made during spring 2024. You may be eligible if you receive any of the following benefits or tax credits: Child or working tax credits Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income support Pension credit Universal credit
For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/guidance /cost-of-living-payment
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Support with rising living costs Pensioner Cost of Living Payment If you're a pensioner receiving the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, your household will receive an extra one-off payment of £150 or £300 this year to help you cover the rising cost of energy this winter. The tax-free payment will be made as a top-up to your annual Winter Fuel Payment in November/December and for most households, will be paid by direct payment. The payment does not affect eligibility for other benefits.
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Support with rising living costs Help in the winter Winter Fuel Payment The Winter Fuel Payment is a Government initiative which
If you have received the Winter Fuel Payment before, then you
provides an annual tax-free payment of between £100
should receive it again automatically this year.
and £300 to help you pay your heating costs. Payments are generally made between November and January.
Similarly, if you claim State Pension, you should also receive the payment automatically.
The exact amount depends on your age and if other people in your household also qualify. If you were born on or before 25 September 1957, you are likely to qualify for the winter of 2023-24.
To get started, call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160. You'll need your National Insurance number and your bank or building society details.
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Support with rising living costs Help in the winter Warm Home Discount Scheme The Warm Home Discount Scheme can provide you with
To be assessed for the Warm Homes Discount, your
a discount of £150 on your electricity bill. You no longer
property must have a valid Energy Performance
need to apply to your energy supplier, even if you did this in previous years.
Certificate (EPC). We understand some households are not receiving the payment because the EPC is missing or invalid.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you if you are eligible. Eligibility is based on qualifying benefits plus living in homes with high energy costs. If you qualify, and your energy supplier participates in the scheme you will receive the one-off discount by 31st March 2024.
If you are a social housing tenant, contact your tenancy support officer about this. If you rent privately, there should be a current EPC in place, but if in doubt, contact us about searching the Register. If you own your own home and don’t have an EPC, contact us about arranging to get a survey done (there will be a charge for this).
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Support with rising living costs Help in the winter Claiming the Warm Home Discount: park home residents If you live in a Park Home and pay your site owner for your electricity, you may qualify for the Park Home Warm Home Discount
If you live in a Park Home and receive bills direct from a national energy supplier, you will no longer be eligible to receive the Warm Home
Scheme, operated by Charis Grants Ltd and Lightning Reach. Funding is limited and
Discount, even if you have received it previously.
applications will be considered on a first come first served basis.
Please contact us on Freephone 0800 954 1956 if you need further help.
For more information on who qualifies for the £150 payment and how to apply, visit: www.charisgrants.com /partners/park-homes/ If your application is successful, a payment of £150 will be made directly into your bank account by 31 March 2024.
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Support with rising living costs Help in the winter Cold Weather Payment If the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below over 7 consecutive days, then if you’re eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, you’ll receive £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1st November and 31st March. Eligibility is dependent on you receiving certain benefits. You do not need to apply. If you are eligible for a Cold Weather Payment, this will be paid automatically to you after each 7 consecutive days of cold weather and you should receive the payment within 14 working days.
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Support with rising living costs Household Support Fund The Government has extended its funding to support vulnerable households in most need of support to help with significantly rising living costs. They have awarded funds to Cornwall Council for 2023-24 that will available over the winter months. If you live in Cornwall and are struggling to afford to heat your home, or cannot afford an urgent heating repair or replacement, please contact us on Freephone 0800 954 1956 or email: advice@cep.org.uk https://www.cornwall.gov.uk /benefits-and-support /household-support-fund/
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Support with rising living costs Find ways to maximise your income Pension Credit Pension Credit is a tax-free means-tested benefit for retired people on a low income, i.e. less than £200/week per person. If you are eligible for Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, you can access a host of benefits including Council Tax Relief; financial help with your housing costs; a free TV licence if you're over 75; and help with health costs (free NHS dental treatment, help with the cost of glasses, transport to hospital). "There's nothing to lose by applying, but potentially a lot to gain – and even if you've previously been turned down, you can make a new claim each year." Age UK
Pension Credit comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £201.05 if you're single or £306.85 if you're a couple. Savings Credit is extra money if you have some savings or your income is higher than the basic State Pension. It's only available to people who reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016. You could get up to £15.94 extra per week if you're single or £17.84 if you're a couple. https://apply-for-pensioncredit.service.gov.uk or call 0800 99 1234
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Support with rising living costs Find ways to maximise your income Council Tax Support If you live on your own, you can claim a discount 25% off your council tax bill. If a member of your household is 'substantially and permanently' disabled, you could reduce your council tax bill by being put in a lower council tax band. Council Tax Support helps people who have no income or a low income; or are claiming certain benefits, to pay some or all of their council tax.
Entitlement to Council Tax Support is based on how much income, capital and savings your household has. Contact Cornwall Council to check if you're eligible for Council Tax Support and make an application. www.cornwall.gov.uk/ benefits-and-support/ council-tax-support/ apply-for-council-taxsupport or call 0300 1234 121
You can claim Council Tax Support if you own your own home or rent. You can also claim if you are working or unemployed.
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Support with rising living costs Find ways to maximise your income Housing Benefit
Personal Independence
Housing Benefit is for help with rent payments (including
Payment (PIP)
ground rent for park home residents) for those who are
Payment is a benefit for people who may need help
not working, on a low income or in receipt of other benefits. www.cornwall.gov.uk/ benefits-and-support/ housing-benefit or call 0300 1234 121
Personal Independence
with daily activities or getting around because of a longterm illness or disability. To start your claim, call the PIP new claims phone line on 0800 917 2222. They will ask for basic information and then send you a claim form.
If you live in Cornwall and need advice or help completing forms, visit disAbility Cornwall: https://www.disabilitycornwall.org.uk/ services/information-and-advice or call 01736 759500
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Support with rising living costs Find ways to maximise your income Attendance Allowance
Carer's Allowance
This is extra income that you can claim if you are over State Pension age and need regular help with your personal care or supervision because of
If you are below the State Pension retirement age and care for someone for at least 35 hours per week and they
illness or disability. Search online for Age UK Attendance Allowance or call Age UK Cornwall on 01872 266 383 or email: email@ ageukcornwall.org.uk
receive certain benefits, for example, Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance, you could be eligible for Carer's Allowance. www.gov.uk/ carers-allowance or call 0800 731 0297
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Support with rising living costs Beware of energy scams More than 40 million people have been targeted by scammers during the cost of living crisis, with 12% of scams being energy-related.
Be alert for: companies or individuals offering cheap or free replacement solar panels or leasing solar panels
Scammers prey on people's vulnerabilities, such as
instead of buying them outright; phone calls asking you
worries around paying energy bills. They might pretend to be energy companies, government representatives or energy regulators so they can try to get access to your money or personal information. Examples include Ofgem energy
what sort of insulation you have, then advising it's illegal and a potential fire hazard and that they can offer you a quote to replace it; an individual saying they're from Ofgem and needing your information. Ofgem
scams and insulation or solar panel scams.
will never ask you for personal information and they will never show up at your house trying to sell energy or products.
If in any doubt, contact Citizens Advice Cornwall's Adviceline on 0800 144 8848 to check the details of who has contacted you and what you're being asked to provide. 16
Support with rising living costs Beware of energy scams How to spot an energy scam An offer looks too good to be true. Someone has contacted you without you asking them to, it's most likely a scam. You feel pressured to pay quickly or you've been asked to pay in an unusual way. You suspect you're not dealing with a legitimate company. You've been asked for personal information, such as passwords or PINs. Citizens Advice top five tips to stay safe Before you commit to anything, do your research - read reviews and testimonials on different websites; ask for references; read terms and conditions carefully. Check they're a recommended trader (see website below). Get written quotes from at least three different contractors and always get a written contract before you give the contractor the go-ahead. Pay with a secure method, such as a credit card, PayPal or debit card. Avoid paying for up-front costs where possible. Be suspicious. Take your time, don't feel pressured to make a decision. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer /get-more-help/find-a-trader-and-check-you-can-trust-them/
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Support with rising living costs Money Management If you are struggling to make ends meet or worried about debt, contact: Citizens Advice Cornwall Advice on benefits, debt, money, housing and more. www.citizensadvicecornwall.org.uk or text: ADVICE to 78866 or call 0800 144 8848 MoneyHelper Free guidance to help make your money and pension choices clearer, put you in control and recommend further, trusted support if you need it. www.moneyhelper.org.uk or call 0800 138 7777 Turn2Us Information and support to help people get back on track. www.turn2us.org.uk StepChange Debt charity offering free debt advice and money management. www.stepchange.org or call 0800 138 1111
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Support with rising living costs More information There's much more information online you can access to help you with the cost of living:
help for households help for households help with your bills cornwall council winter wellbeing cornwall council support for residents struggling with the cost of living cornwall council helping hand money saving expert energy money saving expert household bills advice money saving expert cost of living survival kit citizens advice reducing your regular living costs (or phone 0800 144 8848) moneyhelper (or phone 0800 011 3797)
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Support with rising living costs More information We recognise that a lot of helpful tips and support are now only available online. Ask at your local library, as they may have a public computer you can use to access the internet. If you're not confident in searching out information, there are a range of courses and teaching packages available to help people improve their digital skills. Contact: Age UK’s digital skills support service 0800 678 1602 or email: servicesdigital@ageuk.org.uk Cornwall Council Adult and Community Education 0300 1231 117
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Support with rising living costs More information
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Support with rising living costs Energy Actions Do what you can to save energy around your home and, where you can, take steps to become more energy-efficient. USE LESS Turn it off! Turn down your thermostat Don't use standby Use a clothes line outside
BE EFFICIENT Understand your energy consumption Insulate Use LEDs Upgrade your appliances
GO LOW CARBON Renewables for heating Renewables for producing electricity (PV) SEEK ADVICE BEFORE SPENDING ANY MONEY 22
Support with rising living costs About our advice The information contained in this supplement does not constitute financial advice. Rates and figures are correct at the time of printing, but are subject to changes beyond our control. Use of this information is at your own risk and we do not accept any liability for any loss incurred in your use of the information. We recommend you always do your own research to make sure your decisions are right for your specific circumstances.
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Please keep this supplement for your reference.
We're Cornwall's energy advice charity and here to help householders in Cornwall stay warm and healthy in their homes. Our friendly advisers are on hand to help. Just give us a call or drop us a line. Contact us:
Follow us:
Freephone 0800 954 1956
@CommunityEnergyPlus
advice@cep.org.uk
@CommunityEnergyPlus
www.cep.org.uk
Registered charity: 1068990
Winter 2023/24 Community Energy Plus *The information in this guide is correct at the date of publishing, however some details and funding opportunities are subject to change. Visit our website for the latest guidance.
