Money Matters: Where you can find help for your household with heating oil costs
With Government support on the way for households struggling with rising heating oil costs, in this week’s Money Matters column Housing Plus Group’s debt and energy manager Dan Bebbington shares where you can turn for help in the meantime.
Last week, the Prime Minister announced a support package of more than £52 million for households across the UK that rely on heating oil, which has increased sharply in recent weeks due to the conflict in the Middle East.
In England, funding will be available to families on low incomes, targeting areas with higher rates of oil heating.
It will be distributed by local councils via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which comes into effect from 1 April, but you should contact your local authority straight away if you are struggling to heat your home.
The area covered by Shropshire Council has been identified as an area with higher numbers of heating‑oil‑reliant homes and the council confirmed it will receive a share of this funding totalling just over £750,000.
The council has confirmed they are working through the details to make sure this reaches the people who need it most – and will share more information for residents soon.
Similarly, Telford and Wrekin Council and Staffordshire County Council have also confirmed they are looking at how the support scheme will work.
Residents are being encouraged to keep an eye on their local council’s website for more details but in the meantime, it is important to say there is a range of support for people in need of help.
One great example for residents in Shropshire is the Community Resource Oil Buying Club, which helps households access more competitive heating prices and keep energy costs down.
With a support network of 30 local volunteer co-ordinators they make ordering oil hassle-free and better value for money. Once a month they collate oil orders from across the county on a specified date, and then contact oil companies to get the best price for a bulk order.
All you need to do is join and send them an order, and then they will contact you with the price and supplier information. You will then pay the supplier direct following your oil delivery.
You can also seek free advice from a number of organisations, including Marches Energy Agency, LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partners), Beat the Cold and National Energy Action.
Housing Plus Group’s customers can access our energy advice service, which is run in partnership with the Cadent Foundation. Contact your local housing team or visit our website for more information.
