West Lothian householders can get energy bill help

Dec 31 2008 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

HOUSEHOLDERS in West Lothian are being urged to seek help to cover their energy bills.

The Home Heat Helpline is urging the 8000 fuel-poor households in West Lothian to call the freephone service over the holidays.

The group is calling for local people to access some of the £4bn in funding from energy companies being made available over the next three years to provide free home insulation and other help.

Households living in fuel poverty – which particularly affects older people, single parents and those living with disabilities – are defined as those spending 10 per cent or more of their income on their utility bills.

The helpline is aiming to ensure that fuel-poor residents in West Lothian get the free advice they are entitled to and keep warm this winter as temperatures drop and the credit crunch continues to squeeze household budgets.

By calling the hotline, they can gain direct support from their energy suppliers through reduced tariffs, grants for free home insulation and information about flexible payment options, as well as the disconnection safety net which ensures that vulnerable customers will not be cut off even if they are unable to pay their bill.

Garry Felgate, chief executive of the Energy Retail Association, which runs the helpline, said: “Whilst most people will be concentrating on getting their last-minute shopping in the run up to Christmas, there will be a large number of people in West Lothian whose number one priority is just to keep warm.

“I would urge anyone who is concerned about their fuel costs or those of a relative, neighbour or friend, to call the Home Heat Helpline free on 0800 33 66 99 over the Christmas period.

“We will have advisors on standby throughout the holiday season who can help organise new tariffs, insulation grants and offer advice and support on how to keep warm and save money on their bills.”

As part of its winter campaign – coinciding with the peak of the winter period – the stepped-up service will also allow worried householders or their relatives and friends to make online enquiries at www.homeheathelpline.org.uk