Older people who are in or at risk of fuel poverty are the focus of a £1million partnership launched by the UK’s gas infrastructure companies with three national charities.
Age UK, Age Scotland and Age Cymru have signed up to the collaboration which involves SGN, as well as the other gas distribution networks (GDNs) Cadent, Wales & West Utilities and Northern Gas Networks.
The campaign will look to ensure that older people in the UK are aware of and assisted to access the support services which help increase household income, including benefits checks. It will also provide information on how to use energy safely and efficiently at home.
Rising energy bills over the past 12 months have led to more people feeling worried about their ability to stay warm, safe and healthy at home.
Therefore, the four GDNs are helping each charity in their coverage area with resources, including funding for Benefits Advisers, who will help older people gain access to the benefits and monetary support they’re entitled to, potentially increasing their household income by up to £2,000 a year on average.
Staying connected to energy is extremely important for older people, many of which depend on vital medical equipment such as dialysis machines to manage long term health conditions. The funding, which has been provided through the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) by the energy industry regulator Ofgem, also allows the charities to assist older people join the Priority Services Register – ensuring they’ll receive extra support if they’re ever without their gas, water, or electricity supply.
Kerry Potter, SGN’s Social Impact and Vulnerability Manager, said: “Looking after our vulnerable customers is so important to us at SGN, so I’m delighted we’ve launched this impactful partnership with the UK’s leading older people’s charities. We understand that many older people aren’t aware of the support available to help with essential household costs, which is why we’re all working to a common outcome to help them maintain a safe and warm home, through the right support and information.
Age Scotland Chief Executive Mark O’Donnell, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to SGN for their support in keeping older people safe and warm at home and delighted to be joining forces with the other leading older people’s charities to reach even more people in need of advice and support.
“Our national helpline regularly hears from older people who may not be claiming everything they are entitled to, often leading to difficulties in heating their homes to a comfortable level.
“Unfortunately, hundreds of millions of pounds worth of social security support goes unclaimed by older people in Scotland every year, whether that be due to difficulty in accessing it, lack of awareness or perceived stigma surrounding social security.
“Given current cost of living pressures, it’s vital that people know where to turn for help and advice and are claiming the support they are entitled to. The demand for advice and support has never been greater, and we know this partnership will make a real difference to the lives of older people across Scotland.”
Hannorah Lee, Director of Partnerships at Age UK, said “This past winter was one of the most difficult many older people will have ever experienced. In January a massive 9.6 million older people were worried about being able to heat their homes and over 7 million were worried about affording other essentials such as food.
“At the same time, over £1.5 billion in benefits go unclaimed by older people every year. Thanks to funding from the UK GDNs, we can help older people to check their entitlements, potentially unlocking vital extra income that could help them get through the cost-of-living crisis. We encourage any older person who is worried about money to contact Age UK by calling its national advice line, free of charge, on 0800 169 65 65 (8am-7pm), visiting www.ageuk.org.uk/money, or contacting their local Age UK for free information and advice.”
