Graham Stuart MP: “Warm Front grants going unclaimed!”
| October 6, 2012 | Filled under Campaigns, Community |
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT for Beverley and Holderness, Graham Stuart has expressed his shock to learn that government help to heat the poorest households is not reaching those it is intended to help.
The Warm Front scheme offers grants to meet the costs of providing better insulation or improving central heating systems for homes that are not energy-efficient. Grants are available to people receiving certain benefits.
Graham Stuart says that grants available through the Warm Front scheme are lying unclaimed in many cases:
“Energy bills are a worry for everybody, with low income
households being the hardest hit by the rising prices. Yet at the same time Government help for free heating and insulation improvements is lying unclaimed under the Warm Front scheme.
“It is essential that those who need help get help and are not forced to choose between heating and other necessities. The eligibility criteria for a Warm Front grant is widening so even if you’ve been refused the grant before you may be able to get help this year.
“As this is the last year of Warm Front, I am determined to ensure that as many vulnerable people and families as possible are supported by the grant.”
Grants of up to £3,500 (and up to £6,000 in areas where there is no mains gas) are available to improve the central heating or insulation in your home through the Warm Front Scheme.
To qualify, you must be claiming certain benefits, and you must own your own property – or if you rent it privately you need the owner’s permission to do the work.
Homeowners and private rental tenants can find out if they are eligible for Warm Front by calling 0800 316 2805 or by visiting the Direct Gov website.
I have to say this ‘warm front’ scheme seems to be a bit rubbish and unfair. I was made redundant around 3 months ago, I have actively been seeking employment anywhere and everywhere since, still nothing. My wife is heavily pregnant (1 month to go!) and we rent a privately rented house.
I applied for this scheme as we have no central heating system at all, just one electric plug in heater.
But….because my wife hasn’t yet had our baby, we don’t qualify. They said to me “please give us a call back when your baby is born”! Perfect, let’s make the house a mess when the baby is here. I thought it would make more sense to get it sorted before our baby arrives, apparently not! I can prove I am on job seekers, I can prove my wife is heavily pregnant and also that we privately rent and have permission from our landlord.
I find this outcome disgusting! And apparently there is nothing we can do about it.