Making a referral
It is important that Local authority officers, Health professionals and third sector organisations are aware of where to refer householders for advice and assistance on matters relating to fuel poverty. It is also vital that householders know exactly who they can contact to get help. The organisations that are listed in the toolkits referral pathway are specific services offered to local residents of the Blackburn and Darwen.
All organisations working together and cross referrals can have the maximum positive impact for residents. This is turn will help to reduce the strain both physically and financially on the NHS and local services. Working together helps pull in resources and reduces duplication of work.
It is important for organisations and professionals –
- To refer into the right service
- To know where to Signpost
- Make every contact count by making sure that anyone who needs help is
passed over to the right organisation
The next few pages will help direct you to the relevant local authority section or organisations which can assist on a range of different matters relating to fuel poverty.
Assistance and advice on Energy Efficiency Grants
Cosy Homes in Lancashire (CHiL)
CHiL is a partnership of the 15 Local Authorities in Lancashire, offering residents in the region access to free first time central heating, gas connections, affordable heating solutions, energy advice and support on a range of money saving energy measures to help you keep warm and save money.
Rhea Projects Ltd manage the CHiL scheme and the Administration Hub on behalf of the Lancashire Local Authorities.
For more information or to contact the CHiL team –
Website – www.chil.uk.com
Telephone – 03306 061 488 (Local Rate)
Email – enquiries@rheaprojects.co.uk
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s general advice and signposting
Home Energy Officer
The council has a dedicated Home Energy Officer who can provide residents with general advice on energy efficiency and can signpost to the relevant organisations that may be able to assist with certain fuel poverty issues.
Local Council Officers, Health Professional, third sector organisations and residents can contact the Home Energy Officer to find out about funding, latest offers, and schemes to tackle fuel poverty or to get advice on energy efficiency matters.
For more information or to contact the Home Energy Officer –
Website – Energy advice | Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Telephone – 01254 585585 (and ask to speak to the Home Energy Officer)
Email – publicprotection@barry-ashbolt
Energy Efficiency advice and signposting to grants
Care Network
Care Network’s Healthy Home Service helps people to remain independent, safe and well at home by providing help and support to ensure that their homes are warm and dry.
Care Network help people to tackle fuel poverty by helping them to manage the energy they use to keep bills down and to help them to make sure they are getting the best deal on their gas and electricity bills. They also give advice on home insulation, draught proofing and where to go for trustworthy information about government grants.
For more information or to contact the Care Network team –
Website – https://www.carenetwork.org.uk/Listing/Category/healthy-homes
Telephone – 01254 507255
Assistance and advice on Fuel Debt
Healthy Living BwD
The Bill Busters project offers support to people who have a debt with their gas and electricity supplier. Whilst they do not have funds to pay off debts, they can liaise with energy companies on the client’s behalf to negotiate suitable payment plans and give clients advice on energy efficiency and the warm home discount. In exceptional circumstances, and depending on the supplier, they may be able to apply for small grants towards the debt.
For more information or to contact the Healthy Living –
Website – http://www.healthylivingbwd.org.uk/bill-busters/
Telephone – 01254 292650
Email – info@bwdhl.org.uk
Assistance and advice on benefits for people over 50
Blackburn with Darwen Age UK
Age UK Blackburn with Darwen’s Advice and Information service provides independent advice and information to people aged 50 and over on a range of issues including pension age benefits, general support in liaising with fuel suppliers and signposting to relevant agencies that provide specialist services.
For more information or to contact the Age UK –
Website –Age UK Blackburn with Darwen | Advice and information for later life
Telephone – 01254 266620
Email – advice@ageukbwd.org.uk
Assistance on housing, welfare benefits and debt advice
Shelter
Shelter, Lancashire have a specialist team advising on all aspects of housing, welfare benefits and debt advice. They can help with anything from benefit checks and income maximisation to benefit claims and appeals; budgeting and grant applications, to Breathing Space moratoriums and Debt Relief Orders.
Shelter have a legal team who handle complex housing matters such as repossession, unlawful eviction and homelessness reviews. Shelter works closely with the local community to understand the barriers faced by those in housing need to influence and make change
For more information or to contact Shelter –
Website – Shelter services in Blackburn – Shelter England
Telephone – 0344 515 1831
Savings, loans and general assistance with bills
Jubilee Tower Credit Union
Jubilee Tower Credit Union is a not-for-profit, community-based financial services provider.
The services that they provide include –
- Delivery Partner for the council’s Household Support Scheme assisting local people with fuel costs
- Administer a small emergency Gas and Electricity Reconnections Scheme to help people who have no recourse to funds due to transition to Universal Credit with topping up prepaid gas and electricity meters.
- Provide Managed Account services to help local people maintain payments for essential bills, including gas and electricity payments and prepaid meter top ups.
- Provide a loans service to local people to help pay for energy efficiency measures – loans are subject to status including credit and affordability checks.
For more information or to contact Jubilee Tower Credit Union –
Website – Jubilee Tower Credit Union (jubileetowercu.co.uk)
Telephone – 01254 776611
Email – jubileetowercu@btconnect.com