Get cash to help pay heating bills
AS the cold snap looks set to continue Essex County Council is reminding residents that help may be available towards the costs of keeping warm. The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual lump sum payment of �250 per household with someone aged 60 or over, wit
AS the cold snap looks set to continue Essex County Council is reminding residents that help may be available towards the costs of keeping warm.
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual lump sum payment of �250 per household with someone aged 60 or over, with an extra �150 for households with someone aged 80 or over.
Payment should be automatic for those in receipt of a State Pension or any other benefit.
For other households claims may be made by calling the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 08459 151515.
Cold weather payments are paid automatically at the rate of �25 for certain pensioners, people with disabilities and unemployed families with children under five years old.
Payments are made if the temperatures drop below zero for seven consecutive days and should be made automatically to those in receipt of certain qualifying benefits.
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Warm front grants are available to households in receipt of certain benefits and can be used to install a new energy saving central heating system or repair an existing one, improve loft insulation, cavity wall insulation or draught proofing.
More information is available by calling Warmfront on 0800 316 2805 or at www.warmfront.co.uk
Residents who are not currently receiving qualifying benefits may wish to talk to someone about what they may be able to claim. Advice and information may be available from any one of the following agencies:
Citizens Advice Bureau - a local number can be found in the telephone book.
Benefits Enquiry Line - 0800 88 22 00
The Pension Service - 0845 60 60 265
Age Concern 0800 00 99 66
Uttlesford District Council - 01799 510 510
Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Community Wellbeing, Councillor David Finch, said: "With rising energy prices, residents may be finding it harder to meet the costs of keeping warm. I would particularly advise the elderly and those with disabilities not to reduce heating to such a level that it could be detrimental to their health and to seek help with the costs of keeping warm this winter.
