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 fall by 12% on average from 1st April 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 April to 30 June 2024:
Electricity Unit rate: 24.21p per kWh
Standing charge: 67.19p per day
Gas Unit rate: 6.33p per kWh
Standing charge: 30.97p per day
From 1 April 2024, a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit will pay £1,690/year, which means average bills will fall by 12%.
Support with rising living costs
Energy Tariffs - stick or switch?
According to forecasts, rates under the Energy Price Cap may fall again later in the year. Most fixed deals available are all around the same price, due to the price cap. It’s important to consider if you will make any significant savings in switching before the next Energy Price Cap rate changes.
Check your current supplier's fixed energy deals. See how the fixed rate compares with the current Energy Price Cap rate.
If the fixed rate is around 3% below the April to June Energy Price Cap rate, then it may be worth considering switching if you value price certainty or if you’re thinking of switching due to customer service issues.
Check with your current supplier if there are any exit fees to pay if you end your contract early.
If you are at all uncertain, contact your energy supplier to discuss your options.
Support with rising living costs
Warm Home Discount Scheme Help in the winter
The Warm Home Discount Scheme can provide you with a discount of £150 on your electricity bill. You no longer need to apply to your energy supplier, even if you did this in previous years.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will have written to you if you were eligible for 2023-24.
If you did not receive the one-off payment by 31 March 2024 and you have confirmation that you were eligible for the scheme for winter 2023-24, then contact your energy supplier.
If your energy supplier cannot help, then you can write to the Warm Home Discount Scheme, including: your name, address and date of birth the reference number from your confirmation letter, if you have one the name of your electricity supplier and your account number the name of the person on the electricity bill on 13 August 2023 (if it is different to yours)
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 Scheme, operated by Charis Grants Ltd and Lightning Reach. Funding is limited and applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis.
For more information on who qualifies for the £150 payment and how to apply, visit: www.charisgrants.com /partners/park-homes/
If you live in a Park Home and receive bills direct from a national energy supplier, unless you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you will no longer be eligible to receive the Warm Home Discount, even if you have received it previously.
Please contact us on Freephone 0800 954 1956 if you need further help.
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 2024 that will be available from April to September 2024.
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/
Support with rising living costs
Grants for householders
Grants for insulation and heating upgrades
ECO4
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO), provides grants to fund energy-efficient upgrades to homes, reducing carbon emissions and energy bills. The scheme is now in its fourth round of delivery so it is called ECO4 which will run until 31 March 2026.
ECO4 focuses on improving the least energy efficient homes, as only properties with Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) in Bands D-G can be treated and must be raised to minimum requirements of Band C for D and E rated homes and Band D for F and G rated homes.
The scheme also requires a more complete upgrade of those homes and has shifted to a multi-measure, whole house retrofit approach which starts with insulation, but in some situations, can also provide grants for renewables.
The ECO+ scheme runs until March 2026, it is aimed at those in houses with poor energy efficiency, with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D or below and those in Council Tax bands of A-D. ECO+ will focus mainly on installing low-cost insulation, such as loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
Support with rising living costs
Grants for householders
Grants for insulation and heating upgrades
You may qualify for an ECO grant if you live in Cornwall and meet the following criteria:
A person living at the address receives any of the following:
Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
Universal Credit
Child Tax Credits
Child Benefit (eligibility will be based on your household income and number of household occupants (our energy advisers will be able to tell you if you qualify)
Working Tax Credit
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
Pension Credit Savings Credit
Housing Benefit
Don’t worry if your home doesn’t have an EPC, our advisers will be able to tell you if your home is likely to qualify for an ECO4 grant and make a referral to one of Cornwall’s ECO installers.
Support with rising living costs
Grants for householders
Grants for insulation and heating upgrades
The availability of grants to help households improve their property’s insulation and heating regularly change, so we recommend you contact us so we can advise you on the latest position and check if you qualify for help.
The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) scheme is delivered by Cornwall Council and aims to fund energy efficiency measures on a ‘fabric-first’ (insulation) basis. It is available for households across the whole of Cornwall who are not on the mains gas network and the property must have an EPC of maximum D rating to apply.
If you own your own home and live in it full-time or if you are a private tenant, then your home might be eligible for the scheme.
To qualify, your total household income must not exceed £31,000 gross (so including tax and any other deductions) or living in a postcode-exempt area, and someone living in your home must be at risk of poor health.
Please contact us to let us know if you are interested in applying for the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) scheme in Cornwall.
Support with rising living costs
Grants for householders
Grants for boiler upgrades
Funding is only available under ECO4 to replace 5,000 non-condensing mains gas boilers, so very few households will be able to access boiler grants under the new rules.
Our advice team frequently work to help low income vulnerable householders in Cornwall in crisis situations with no heating or hot water, to access other grants to repair and replace boilers. Please contact us to discuss your situation.
The Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme will provide upfront capital grants. These are to support the installation of heat pumps, and in some circumstances, biomass boilers.
Acting on behalf of property owners, installers can apply for a discount off the cost and installation of:
£5,000 off a biomass boiler
£7,500 off an air source heat pump
£7,500 off a ground source heat pump, including water source heat pumps.
If you’d like to know which of these technologies is right for your property, contact our Low Carbon advice team at email: lowcarbon@cep.org.uk to request a call back.
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 £218.15 if you're single or £332.95 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 £17.01 extra per week if you're single or £19.04 if you're a couple.
https://apply-for-pensioncredit.service.gov.uk or call 0800 99 1234
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 of 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.
You can claim Council Tax Support if you own your ow home or rent. You can also claim if you are working or unemployed.
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/
Support with rising living costs
Find ways to maximise your income
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit is for help with rent payments (including ground rent for park home residents) for those who are 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 Payment (PIP)
Personal Independence Payment is a benefit for people who may need help 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
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 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
Carer's Allowance
If you are below the State Pension retirement age and care for someone for at least 35 hours per week and they 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
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.
Scammers prey on people's vulnerabilities, such as 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 scams and insulation or solar panel scams.
Be alert for: companies or individuals offering cheap or free replacement solar panels or leasing solar panels instead of buying them outright; phone calls asking you 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 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.
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
Money Management
www.turn2us.org.uk
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
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
Support with rising living costs
More information
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
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.
