What is the Energy Assistance Package?
The Energy Assistance Package is a holistic package to help maximise incomes, reduce fuel bills and improve the energy efficiency of homes. It replaces the Central Heating and Warm Deal programmes.
The Energy Saving Trust manages delivery of the package on behalf of the Scottish Government. To find out what the package can offer you, telephone the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 or visitwww.energyassistancepackage.com.
The package has four stages:
- Stage one offers free expert energy advice to anyone who phones theEnergy Savings Scotland advice centre(ESSAC) network on 0800 512 012.
- Stage two provides benefits and tax credit checks and advice on low cost energy tariffs to those at risk of fuel poverty.
- Stage three provides a package of standard insulation measures (cavity wall and loft insulation) to older households and those on one of a range of benefits.
- Stage four offers a package of enhanced energy efficiency measures to those who are most vulnerable to fuel poverty.
Who benefits?
Stage 1: Everyone who phones the Energy Efficiency Advice network will receive free expert energy advice.
Stage 2: Those at risk of fuel poverty may be offered benefit and tax credit checks and advice on low cost energy tariffs
Stage 3: Private Sector: You may qualify for a package of standard insulation measures (cavity wall and loft insulation) if you are a home owner or the tenant of a private landlord and you or your partner is:
- aged 70 or over and you have no central heating; or
- aged 75 or over; or
- receive a qualifying benefit.
Stage 3: Social Sector: if you are a social sector tenant renting from either a local authority or Registered Social landlord similar insulation measures may be available to you funded through a partnership between your landlord, the Scottish Government and energy companies. For information about this you should contact your landlord.
Stage 4: You may qualify for enhanced measures if you are a home owner or the tenant of a private sector landlord and you or your partner is
- aged 60 or over and have no central heating system in your home
- you are a home owner or the tenant of a private sector landlord and you live in an energy inefficient home and you or your partner:
» is aged 75 or over
» is aged 60 or over and receives a qualifying benefit
» has a child under 5 and receives a qualifying benefit
» has a disabled child under 16 and receives a qualifying benefit
» is pregnant and receives a qualifying benefit.
For the first time help may also be available for those in mobile homes.
What is an energy inefficient home?
'Energy inefficient homes' are defined as those where an energy audit identifies that the dwelling has a SAP score of 38 or less.
What are the qualifying benefits for stage 4?
- Attendance Allowance
- Child Tax Credit - where income less than £17,474
- Council tax benefit
- Housing benefit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseekers allowance
- Disability living allowance
- Disablement pension which includes a constant attendance allowance
- State Pension Credit - with Guarantee element
- War disablement pension which includes a mobility supplement or a constant attendance allowance
- Working Tax Credit - where income less than £17,474
- Employment and Support Allowance
What does the enhanced package include?
Depending on individual circumstances, the package may consist of but is not limited to:
- Installation of a new central heating system including where appropriate air source heat pumps;
- A new boiler;
- Draughtproofing;
- Internal or external wall insulation;
- Cavity wall insulation;
- Loft insulation;
- Room thermostats and heating controls;
- Insulation of tanks and pipes
Who will deliver the package?
The package builds on the existing energy efficiency advice network and will be delivered in partnership with existing advice providers, energy companies and the Scottish Government. Overall management of the delivery of the package will rest with the Energy Saving Trust.