What is fuel poverty?

Households are usually considered to be in fuel poverty when they spend more than 10% of their total household income to maintain adequate warmth for health and comfort.  The old, children and those who are disabled or have a long-term illness are especially vulnerable.

There are three main contributory factors to fuel poverty:

• the level of household income
• energy prices
• the energy efficiency of a home

The 2008 stock conditions survey carried out by the City of York Council indicated that around 8% of households within the City are living in fuel poverty.

Advice and assistance on combating the three contributory factors mentioned above is available from the following organisations:

The Energy Saving Trust advice centre

The advice centre will help you by giving advice on energy prices and grants and schemes that are currently available including:

Warm Front

Warm Front is a government -funded scheme which provides grants worth up to £2,700 towards heating and insulation improvements to make homes warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient.  You may qualify if you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord and receive a disability or income related benefit.

Benefits advice team

The Benefits advice team will help you maximise your income by providing up to date information and advice on the full range of welfare benefits and tax credits, including the following payments specifically aimed at ensuring that those at most risk from fuel poverty are able to heat their homes. 

They are paid automatically to those who are in receipt of qualifying benefits (including the state pension) so it is important to ensure that you are claiming your full benefit entitlement.

The team can help you over the phone or in person at the City Finance Office (or Acomb Office by appointment).  Advisers can also visit you in your own home if you are unable to get to one of our offices.

Winter Fuel Payment

You should qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment if you are aged 60 or over on or before 23 September 2007 and normally live in the United Kingdom.  If you are aged 60 - 79 and are entitled to receive a Winter Fuel Payment you will receive up to £250.  If you are aged 80 or over and you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, you will receive up to £400.  

Cold weather payments

Cold Weather Payments are made in periods of exceptionally cold weather.  The payment is worth £25 and is automatically paid to anyone who is eligible when the average temperature is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March.

Practical advice

There are many practical ways in which households can save energy and improve the energy efficiency of their homes in order to reduce heating costs.  

Visit www.energysavingsecrets.co.uk for a wide range of energy saving advice that will help make heating your home more affordable.

Smart meters from York Libraries

Energy monitors are now available for loan from York libraries.  The easy to read portable energy monitors are designed to help reduce electricity consumption in the home by enabling occupiers to see how much they are spending.

All York libraries have the plug-in meters in stock whilst wireless monitors are available from York Central, Acomb, Tang Hall, Haxby, Clifton and New Earswick Libraries. All the equipment is free to borrow.