Residents living in Rotherham can once again receive support with their energy bills this winter, as the latest round of the Council’s Crisis Support Scheme opens for application.
The scheme offers payments of up to £250 for households that are struggling to meet the costs of their energy bills as a result of the significant rise in energy costs.
Applicants must have no more than £150 a month left over after paying for all of their essential costs such as food, rent or mortgage and utility bills. The funding is not means tested and residents do not need to be claiming benefits in order to be eligible. Residents may be of any age to receive the payments.
To qualify for the scheme, applicants will be asked to provide some basic information about their current financial situation, along with a recent bank statement where relevant, their most recent energy bill and estimated monthly expenditure and income.
Anybody who applied before 18 October 2024 will be able to apply again.
If you’ve applied prior to the new scheme opening, your application will be processed in accordance with the scheme conditions.
Further support is also available to residents over the age of 66 through the Government’s Pension Credit. Residents are encouraged to apply for Pension Credit before 21 December 2024 to ensure they access all the support they are entitled to.
The Council is working with Citizens Advice Rotherham and Age UK Rotherham to support more people to apply for Pension Credit payments, which also entitle eligible residents for Winter Fuel Allowance payments.
Alongside the Energy Crisis Support Scheme, the Council will also be using the Household Support Fund to offer other financial support for working aged people on low incomes and their families. This includes Council Tax top up payments for eligible residents, and free school meals for school aged children during the winter school holidays.
The Council will also continue to support local food banks and community groups by funding personal hygiene and toiletries packs.
Rotherham Council’s Leader, Cllr Chris Read, said: “We don’t want anyone to be worrying about turning off the heating this winter because they can’t afford their bill. So we’ve committed more than a million pounds of Household Support Fund this Winter to make more crisis payments available to more residents than ever before. Our local team are also on hand to support applicants who might also be eligible for Pension Credit, to make it as easy as possible for people to get the money they’re entitled to.
“Whatever your age, if you just aren’t able to keep up with your gas or electricity bills this Winter, please do get in touch and see if our crisis scheme can help you.”
Further information about funding, advice and support during the cost of living crisis can be found online at www.rotherham.gov.uk/money-matters or call our call centre on 01709 382121.