Cost of Living Support

Muir can help you understand ways to reduce fuel bills and maintain wellbeing.

The below information can help you maximise energy efficiency without leaving you in the cold.

 

Get FREE tenancy support from Muir here: www.muir.org.uk/tenancy-support

Watch our quick self-help videos about best ways to use radiators and storage heaters here: www.muir.org.uk/self-help-video-support

 

Great Advice

National Energy Action (NEA) have great advice about reducing energy costs here: www.nea.org.uk/get-help/

 

Advice includes:

• Understand your gas and electricity bills
• Get energy saving tips
• What to do if your struggling to pay your fuel bills
• Maximise your heating efficiency
• Lots more

 

You can also get more quick energy-saving tips that can help lower your bills here: www.muir.org.uk/news/how-muir-residents-can-cut-costs-around-the-home-1529

 

Support With Rising Energy Costs

On average, residents save £150–£200 after their first call to Pocket Power!

They help social housing residents save money by switching energy providers and getting discounts on their household bills.

If you’d like to know more about how they can help you visit www.pocket-power.co.uk, call them on 02033 869799 or email info@pocket-power.co.uk

 

 

The UK Government announced a range of financial support to help people pay for the energy they use.

Some of the support available is highlighted below, however you can learn more about the support available here: www.helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/

 

Warm Homes Discount

The Warm Home Discount is automatically given to customers who receive means-tested benefits as of 13th August 2023 and high energy bills.

It is a one-off £150 deduction from your electricity bill during the winter, or a voucher for households with prepayment meters.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill, rather than your electricity bill, if your supplier provides both your gas and electricity.

Visit the Warm Home Discount page to find out if you’re eligible and if your supplier supports this scheme, or call the Warm Home Discout helpline on 0800 030 9322.

 

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born on or before 25th September 1957, and receive a state pension or another benefit, you may be eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment to help towards your heating bills.

Payments between £250 and £600 (depending on your circumstances on the 'qualifying week' from 18th-24th Septmeber 2023) are made automatically between November and December, usually by mid-January.You'll receive a letter in Ocotber telling you if you're eligible. To find out how to claim, visit Winter fuel payment on GOV.UK or call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0800 731 0160 before 31st March 2024.

 

Cold weather payments

You could receive £25 if the average temperature in your area drops below zero for seven days in a row. You may be eligible if you claim certain means-tested benefits. Visit Cold weather payments on GOV.UK for more details.

 

Local councils and energy supplier help

Many local councils have put together financial packages to help. Make sure to contact yours and find out if any money is available to you. Also, if you have a gas supplier, they also may be offering grants or other financial help, so contact them to discuss your options.

Remember, it’s better overall to keep your home warm, even on low, at a consistent level. Otherwise, moisture can get in the walls, which causes damp and mould, and it means it will be harder, and more expensive to heat your home later on, as well as all the other negatives effects of damp and mould.

Watch our quick self-help videos about best ways to use radiators and storage heaters here: www.muir.org.uk/self-help-video-support

 

What are Muir doing to help?

We’re looking at ways to make homes more energy efficient and help reduce costs for customers.

We've carried out a project to understand more about cavity wall insultation in our homes and have so far secured £258,000 of grant funding to complete cavity wall insulation which has resulted in upgrade works to 120 homes.

This work has been completed by domestic energy assessors, The Warmfront Team.

We are now jointly working on funding applications for a further 400 homes.

Our colleagues at The Warmfront Team will contact residents in these homes to arrange in-depth inspections and insulation measures.