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Thursday 1st September 2022

Welcome to the first special edition of the Family Information Service newsletter. We understand that a lot of families are worried about the impact of the increasing cost of living, and we know that many might struggle to make their incomes stretch to cover the basics. This special edition newsletter will be published at the start of every month to support and provide advice to you and your family throughout the cost of living crisis. 

In this month's special, find out about the energy top tips, an energy bills support scheme, ways to save energy in your home, the Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme and much more!

The Family Information Service (FIS) supports families across Warwickshire with advice and information. You can get in touch with the team for by emailing fis@warwickshire.gov.uk or calling 01926 742274.

Energy Saving Top Tips


The warmer weather may mean that energy use is the last thing on your mind, but now is the right time to start thinking about your energy use over the next few months. We know that for many people, the huge increase in energy bills is already making life incredibly difficult. What’s more, energy bills are set to rise even more in October. There are things you can do and help is at hand:
  1. Turning your thermostat down by 1 degree could save you up to 10% a year on your bill
  2. Switch to low energy light bulbs. LEDs use about 90% less energy than standard bulbs
  3. Wash your clothes on the lowest heat setting. 90% of a washing machines energy is used to heat water
  4. Take advantage of the weather and dry clothes on a washing line instead of using a tumble dryer
  5. Reduce your shower time. Try setting an alarm for 3-4 minutes. Doing this regularly can save more energy and water than you might think
  6. Thick curtains help to keep the heat in. Keep them tucked behind radiators and close them at dusk to avoid heat escaping
  7. Move furniture away from radiators to let warm air circulate
  8. Draught proofing is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy in any type of building. Check doors, letterboxes, windows, loft hatches and floorboards
  9. A third of heat can be lost through the walls. Think about cavity wall and loft insulation. There may be grants available for this, Act on Energy can provide advice
  10. Only boil the amount of water you need when you need it. Boiling extra water takes more time and uses more energy
  11. Use the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full to make the most out of the energy and water used
What's new?

Energy Bills Support Scheme
 

Over the past year, global energy prices have soared, with wholesale gas prices alone quadrupling. This has led to an unprecedented rise in household energy bills.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme will deliver a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with energy bills from October. This is an £11.7 billion scheme which forms part of the £37 billion cost of living assistance package for consumers over winter 2022 to 2023.

The scheme will help around 29 million households across Great Britain and there is no need to apply for the discount. Energy suppliers will deliver this support to GB households with a domestic electricity connection over 6 months from October 2022.
Learn more

Cost of Living Payment

If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you’re found to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment at a later date.

You could get up to 3 different types of payment depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period:

  • a Cost of Living Payment, if you get a qualifying low income benefit or tax credits
  • a Disability Cost of Living Payment, if you get a qualifying disability benefit
  • a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, if you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023
Learn more

Grants to help you pay your energy bills – check what your supplier is offering

Major energy suppliers are providing grants – in some cases worth thousands – to households experiencing financial difficulties. EDF, E.on Next and Scottish Power are among those offering support to their own customers, while British Gas's hardship scheme is available to customers of other suppliers too.

Most of the help offered is in the form of a non-repayable grant that goes towards reducing energy debts. This could be vital for struggling households as the latest predictions from analysts suggest that typical energy bills could hit £5,387 a year in January 2023.

Find out more

How your library can help as the cost of living increases

The cost-of-living increases have impacted the way we all live our lives. In this blog, they’ll be sharing some of the services and resources that are available, both from Warwickshire Libraries and throughout Warwickshire, that can provide support during these times.

Warwickshire Libraries provides a free service for all, offering not only books for different ages and in a range of formats, but free computer use, study space, free Wi-Fi, activities for children, events for adults, and a welcoming environment.

The library is a safe space where you can sit and spend time reading, using a computer, or joining in with our free events. You don’t have to be a member to visit, though membership is free and with your library card, you can borrow books from our libraries and use our computers for free.

Learn more

Find ways to save energy in your home

Act on Energy is an energy advice charity supporting people in Warwickshire to prepare to be warm and well this winter. They can offer advice on: 

  • Energy efficiency tips to reduce your bills 
  • Grants and funding for energy efficiency measures  
  • Grants for replacement heating systems 
  • Help with fuel bills and energy debt 
  • Billing issues with your supplier
For free advice call 0800 988 2881.
Find out more

Find ways to save energy in your home

If you own a property in England or Wales you can get recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm.

For each recommendation you can see:

  • an estimated cost of making the improvement
  • how much you could save on your bills
  • next steps if you want to make the improvement
Take the questionnaire here

Help for Households

Countries around the world are facing rising goods and energy prices, inflation and cost of living pressures after the pandemic and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

We know people are worried so the government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.

Find out more

Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme

The Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme helps our most vulnerable residents at times of unavoidable crisis when they have no other means of help. The scheme provides basic and essential help in the form of emergency food parcels or credit for energy.

The Government announced in the Spring statement that they will be extending the Household Support Fund until 30 September 2022. This fund is designed to be used to support households facing financial challenges due to the cost of living rises, particularly those including children and pensioners to ensure that they can access the support they need to afford food, energy and associated costs.

The Local Welfare Scheme is responsible for distributing this funding to families and individuals in need.

Learn more

Energy Advice Training

Do you work with people who may be in fuel poverty? This training is designed for you to help and support your service users.

Are you a front-line worker who works with people who may be struggling to pay their bills? If this sounds like you - Act on Energy would love to meet you at one of their sessions.

Attending a training session will provide you with the essential knowledge and skills to better support your service users, clients or customers and to understand what is going on in the world of energy. Book your tickets now to avoid disappointment!

Act on Energy will be covering key issues including:

• What is Fuel Poverty – and its impact

• Understanding the Energy Crisis, including a global and UK perspective, the price cap and why this is happening

• What help is available now

• Longer term solutions

Book your ticket
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Warwickshire SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIAS) is a free, confidential and impartial service providing information, advice and support for parents/carers, children and young people aged 0-25 who have or may have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.  Contact Warwickshire SENDIAS.
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