More householders to get help to stay warm and cosy this winter

Thousands more householders up and down the country will be eligible for help under the Government’s Warm Front scheme from 12 September, when new regulations come into force.

Revisions to the scheme rules will align the income based qualifying benefits with those to be used for the forthcoming Affordable Warmth group under the Energy Company Obligation. Householders who currently qualify under the scheme rules will still be able to get help, but these changes will mean an even greater number of households will be able to benefit from the assistance available.

Help will continue to be targeted at households living in properties that are poorly insulated or do not have a working heating system. However, the qualifying Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) threshold for the property will be increased from 55 to 63.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:

“Changes to the rules on who can get help under Warm Front will mean even more people will be able to keep warm this winter. Warm Front is still very much open for business and it’s easy to apply. All you have to do is call 0800 316 2805 and, if you’re eligible, the Warm Front team will do all the paperwork for you.”

Warm Front provides government grants to people in poorly heated or insulated homes to pay for boiler repairs, new central heating systems and insulation work. Those eligible can apply for up to £3,500 towards the cost of the work or up to £6,000 for homes not connected to mains gas.

Notes for editors:

1. The revised regulations known as ‘The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2012’ are available view at: Legislation.gov.uk [External link]

2. Warm Front remains open to new applications with a budget of £100m in 2012/13 to provide insulation and heating measures for qualifying households

3. Further details on the Warm Front scheme and how to apply can be found on the Directgov [External link] website. Further information about the revised criteria will be available on this shortly.

4. The scheme is targeted at people on certain income-related benefits and living in properties that are poorly insulated and/or do not have a working central heating system. Applicants must own their home or rent it from a private landlord. The measures provided under the scheme are tailored to each property drawn from the measures listed below:

Loft insulation (where suitable)
Draught proofing
Cavity-wall insulation (some cavity walls are unsuitable and approximately one third of properties have solid walls)
Hot-water-tank insulation
Repairs to an existing heating systems
New or replacement gas, oil or Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) central heating systems
Electric storage heaters
Electric heaters for bathrooms where electricity is the main heating source*
Conversion of a solid-fuel open fire to a modern glass-fronted fire
Timer controls for electric space and water heaters

5.Householders can apply for help under the Warm Front Scheme via the Directgov website [External link] at or by calling Carillion Energy Services on freephone 0800 316 2805, textphone 0800 072 0156 or email: enquiry@carillionplc.com.