In the news: Basildon Council Launches Warm Home Guarantee to Protect Pensioners This Winter

Basildon Council is proud to announce the launch of its Warm Home Guarantee, a proactive new campaign to support pensioners during the colder months. As part of this initiative, the Council is allocating an initial £100,000 to help 1,000 pensioner households with a one-off £100 grant to ease their energy bills this winter.

Cllr Gavin Callaghan, Leader of Basildon Council, said: "With rising energy costs, many pensioners are facing tough choices this winter. While we can't change government policy, we can take local action to protect our most vulnerable residents. That's why we're allocating £100,000 to directly support 1,000 pensioner households with £100 grants to keep their homes warm. The Warm Home Guarantee is about ensuring no pensioner in Basildon faces the cold alone."

The council will work to ensure that the pensioners who are eligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance are accessing it, and for those who aren't eligible for Pension Credit but are still struggling with heating costs, additional exceptional hardship payments will be available. This campaign is all about ensuring every pensioner gets the support they need.

The Warm Home Guarantee initiative kicks off with council visits to all 47 council-owned sheltered schemes. These visits began on Monday 9 September. The council will also host events at local libraries, community centres, and via the Outreach bus, ensuring that pensioners across the borough are aware of the support available.

A key element of the campaign is the Triage Form, a simple tool available on the council's website, which helps assess eligibility for winter fuel support and hardship payments. Families and friends are encouraged to help pensioners complete this form or signpost them to one of the council's outreach events.

Cllr Callaghan added: "This campaign is about community. We need the support of families, friends, and neighbours to make sure that every pensioner in need can access the help they deserve. At present, it is estimated that between 800 and 1,000 pensioners should be entitled to the full Winter Fuel Allowance this winter but that they aren't enrolled in the scheme. We very quickly need to get these residents enrolled so that they don't miss out on the full Winter Fuel Allowance from November. Alongside this work, the £100 grant is just one part of our commitment to making sure Basildon's pensioners stay warm this winter."

Key Features of the Warm Home Guarantee:

• £100,000 allocated: Basildon Council is committing £100,000 to provide 1,000 pensioner households with a £100 energy grant, financial help for those struggling with heating costs but not qualifying for Pension Credit
• Winter Fuel Allowance support: Ensuring all eligible pensioners are receiving their Winter Fuel Allowance
• Community Engagement: Encouraging families, friends, and neighbours to signpost pensioners to Basildon Council so they can get the help they need
• Outreach Programme: Visits to all 47 sheltered schemes, plus events at libraries, community centres, and via the Outreach bus, with full details available on the Council's website

Basildon Council is calling on the entire community to get involved and help ensure pensioners have access to these vital services. Together, we can make sure no one is left out in the cold this winter.

For more information on the Warm Home Guarantee and to access the Triage Form, visit our website or attend one of our outreach events.

Ends

Published 10 September 2024

Notes to editors:

• The Warm Home Guarantee will begin with visits to all 47 council-owned sheltered schemes starting on Monday 9 September.
• £100,000 has been allocated to provide £100 grants to 1,000 pensioner households struggling with energy costs.
• A full schedule of outreach events will be available on the council's Outreach and Engagement webpage - www.basildon.gov.uk/findhelp 
• The Triage Form for assessing eligibility is live as of Monday 9 September.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact pressoffice@basildon.gov.uk