You will no doubt have heard lots in the news about the cost of living crisis and the rising fuel bills which are likely to impact us all. We want you to know that there is help and support available.
Hanover’s Tenant Energy Support Service
We’re excited to let you know about a brand-new service, the Tenant Energy Support (TES) service. We’ve partnered with Changeworks, Scotland’s leading environmental charity and experts in providing energy advice and support, to deliver this service.
The service is free and gives our tenants access to energy information, advice and advocacy.
The TES online advice library can be accessed here. Alternatively, you can call Changeworks for a paper copy of the guides.
You can also refer yourself to Changeworks for a call back from an advisor here.
You can contact Changeworks on freephone 0800 870 8800 between 9am-5pm, Monday – Friday to request printed materials, or if you feel you need some additional support.
Keep your property in good repair
Ensuring that your property is wind and watertight is the first step to ensure that your property is managing energy efficiently. Please contact 0800 111 4646 to report any defects to your property, such as drafty windows, as a priority to help keep your energy costs down.
Additional assistance
If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant from a charitable trust to help pay your energy debts. Your application is more likely to be successful if you’ve received debt advice.
Winter Fuel Payments
A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual tax-free lump sum to help with heating costs. You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958 and were in receipt of certain means tested benefits like Pension Credit. If you need to make a claim contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 before 31st March the following spring.
Winter Heating Payment
Winter Heating Payment has replaced the Cold Weather Payment that used to be made to people receiving Pension Credit if it was below freezing for a week. Winter Heating Payment is a one-off annual automatic payment of £50.00 from Social Security Scotland.
Child Winter Heating Payment is a payment of £214.10 made in winter. It is to help with fuel costs for families of disabled children and young people. The payment is made per individual, not per household. This means each eligible child in a household will get the payment. You do not need to apply for Child Winter Heating Payment. In most cases, the payment will be made automatically by Social Security Scotland.
