Wakefield Council is working with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and other partners to offer two schemes to help residents stay warm and reduce energy costs.
Energy Debt Fund
Residents who are in arrears with their energy bills may be able to get help through Wakefield Council’s Energy Debt Fund, by receiving a grant to reduce or clear their debt. This is available for a limited time only and provided as part of the Money Smart Scheme, which provides free support with a range of money and debt issues.
The Energy Debt Fund is provided by grants that the Council has secured to support vulnerable low-income households with their energy costs to keep warm and healthy in their homes.
offering resident support
Everyone deserves to have a warm and healthy home so please get in touch if residents think the Council can help"
Cllr Darren Byford, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration, and Property, said, “We understand that winter can be a difficult and very expensive time for our residents, so I am pleased these schemes will reach out to residents and offer them support."
Cllr Darren Byford adds, “Everyone deserves to have a warm and healthy home so please get in touch if you think we might be able to help you.”
Big Heater Amnesty
The Council is also offering a Big Heater Amnesty, which allows residents to get a new plug-in portable heater FREE of charge if they are using it as their main source of heating and their current heater is old, faulty, or broken.
Some may believe it is cheaper to use a portable heater for one room instead of central heating, but this can be dangerous, a risk to life, and can be more costly.
fire safety advice and support
The Big Heater Amnesty runs throughout the year but is most important for many during the winter months.
As part of the Amnesty, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service will deliver Safe and Well visits to provide fire safety advice and support to those individuals who have qualified for a replacement portable heater.
all-round approach
Portable heaters can be expensive, potentially dangerous, and a health risk"
Cllr Maureen Cummings, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Poverty, and Health, said, “We know that some of our residents are facing some really tough times at the moment and some are having to heat one room with a portable heater."
Cllr Maureen Cummings adds, "This can be expensive, potentially dangerous, and a health risk. This all-round approach will help our residents to be safer in their homes, warmer, and spend less on heating.”
oil-filled heaters
Wakefield District Commander for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Lee Miller, said, “We work tirelessly to make West Yorkshire safer every single day, and are delighted to be supporting this important project."
Lee Miller adds, "Everyone should feel safe at home, and we’re so pleased to be able to support this initiative that sees those who are most at risk made even safer – oil-filled heaters are a safer option and are more cost-effective in the long run.”
