HELP is at hand in Stratford district for residents struggling to pay their bills.
Stratford District Council has made £50,000 available to support lower income households who are struggling to pay energy bills this winter.
SDC has partnered with Act on Energy – a local energy advice charity – who will administer the Energy Support Fund on behalf of the council.
Households with children could benefit from up to £500 and households without children up to £300. Act on Energy will make the payment directly to the household’s energy supplier or issue pre-payment vouchers.
To be eligible households must have a gross income under £30,000 and no savings and someone in the household must be living with a vulnerability (eg a long-term health condition, in receipt of Personal Independent Payment (PIP), pregnant, recently made redundant or in receipt of free school meals).
Households can apply online at the Act on Energy website. They will need to provide evidence that they meets the eligibility criteria, as well as a copy of their energy bill so Act on Energy can make the payment to the correct account.
Professionals from other organisations can also apply on behalf of clients once they have proof that the household is eligible. Referrers can apply using the same online form.
SDC’s health and wellbeing spokesperson Jo Barker said: “This fund will make a real difference to people who are significantly impacted by the increase in energy prices. It will give these households a bit of breathing space.”
While Rachel Jones, Chief Executive at Act on Energy, added: “Act on Energy has successfully administered similar funds for other councils in the Midlands and in our experience, it is a simple and effective way of helping people with their bills.”
For more information visit https://actonenergy.org.uk/project/energy-support-fund/ or call 0800 988 2881.
