Older people living in off-grid homes urged to apply for their £400 support by 31 May
Published on 18 May 2023 04:41 PM
Energy Bills Support Scheme (Alternative Fund) supporting those without a mains energy supplier
Older people living in ‘off-grid’ homes have less than two weeks to apply for £400 worth of support towards their energy bills.
Age Cymru is therefore urging older people who live ‘off-grid’ and don’t have their heating supplied by an energy company, to claim their £400 support from the UK Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme (Alternative Funding) as soon as possible to make the 31 May deadline.
The support is specifically aimed at those without a domestic energy meter or contract with an energy supplier.
Typically, people eligible for this support might live in properties without a connection to an electricity or gas supply such as remote homes, park or mobile homes, caravans, houseboats, and permanent Gypsy and Traveller sites.
The support is also available to those who pay care fees to live in a care home or supported accommodation, as well as those living in social or private rented accommodation with a business energy connection or a communal electricity supply.
To make an application visit www.gov.uk/apply-energy-bill-support-if-not-automatic or call 0808 175 3287.
Additional support for those who use coal or oil for their heating – 31 May deadline
People who primarily heat their homes with bottled gas, coal, wood, or oil products are eligible to claim an additional £200 under the UK Government’s Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Fund (AFP AF), again by the 31 May 2023.
To make an application visit www.gov.uk/apply-alternative-fuel-bill-support-if-not-automatic or call 0808 175 3943.
Age Cymru has developed a cost-of-living page on its website that is packed full of information to help older people cope with the current financial challenges: www.agecymru.org.uk/cost-of-living.
If anyone would like to seek the support of the Charity’s information and advice service about this or any other matter, call 0300 303 44 98 between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, or email advice@agecymru.org.uk.
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