£50,000 of funding has been allocated to support people across Bath and North East Somerset who are affected by fuel poverty this winter.
Vouchers worth up to £49 to pay for gas and electricity are being made available.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has allocated money from the Covid Winter Grant Scheme funding to Citizens Advice BANES to support residents who have been affected by the Covid pandemic, are vulnerable or are in fuel poverty.
Residents can apply to Citizens Advice BANES for the electronic fuel vouchers, which can be exchanged in shops and with suppliers to be charged to key meters or electricity and gas accounts.
The value of the vouchers are £28 for a single person and £49 for a family or couple.
The vouchers will be provided to residents who have been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and who are in fuel poverty or are otherwise considered by Citizens Advice BANES to be vulnerable.
The scheme will be available until 31st March.
Applications should be made as soon as possible via Citizens Advice BANES at www.citizensadvicebanes.org.uk, by calling 0344 848 7919 or through the Community Wellbeing hub on 0300 247 0050.
The Covid Winter Grant Scheme has been provided by the Government to local authorities to help residents with food and key utilities throughout the winter period.
Richard Samuel, cabinet member for Resources and Deputy Leader, said: “People who were already struggling before the pandemic are likely to be the hardest hit by fuel poverty.
“We want to help ensure that no one is cold in their own home, so I’m pleased that we’ve been able to allocate this money to help people stay warm and avoid falling into debt.
“Please apply to Citizens Advice BANES if you think you might be eligible.”
Les Redwood, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice BANES added: “ Citizens Advice BANES has been on a transformational journey of change over the last two years in working more closely with the community across the Unitary Authority, and in closer partnership with our key strategic partners to provide a better service to our neighbourhoods across BANES.
“The challenges of the pandemic has made this journey even more important to us as a charity and many positives have come from this closer working – one of these is the Bath & North East Somerset Council fuel vouchers scheme, where, working directly with the council, we have unlocked tens of thousands of pounds worth of value to those most in need across BANES to provide direct payments to lower their fuel bills.
“Hundreds of people have already benefitted from this service so please see our website at www.citizensadvicebanes.org.uk for all terms and conditions and how to register to receive a payment against your fuel bills at this really difficult time for us all.”
Households with an annual income of less than £30,000 and living in a low energy efficiency home with EPC rating E, F or G may also be eligible for a Green Homes Grant from the council.
The grants help people upgrade their home with double glazing, insulation or low-carbon heating.
More information and how to apply can be found by calling 0800 038 5680, emailing [email protected] or visiting www.energyathome.org.uk.
