ENERGY bills are soaring but there’s a way for hard-up households to save up to £150 a year through a little-known service.
The average household’s bills will rise to £3,000 a year from next April after the government extended the energy price guarantee.
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But those worried about keeping up with costs can get help through the Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP).
It’s a free service designed to help people with the cost of replacing old boilers or appliances, and people can also get free equipment and bill advice.
Kyle James, also known as @ThatPropertyGuy on Tik Tok, often shares nifty tips on how households can save on their energy bills.
In one of his recent videos he revealed how some can get free energy-saving gadgets through the LEAP service.
He said: “Energy prices are rising and your bills are going to go up, so it’s a good time to apply for these free energy-saving measures.
“Visit LEAP and if you’re eligible, you can apply for the measures and free advice.”
In the video, Kyle lists what gadgets are available through the service, including energy-saving extension leads and lightbulbs, draught excluders and radiator reflector foil.
Some households can also get chimney balloons, which reduce draughts.
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Just by using LED lightbulbs, draught excluders, chimney balloons and radiator reflector foil the average household can save around £150 a year.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates switching to LED lightbulbs can save you £55 year.
Meanwhile, draught excluders can save you £45 a year and radiator reflector foil can save you £50 a year.
Who’s eligible?
You’ll need to fit different eligibility criteria depending on what you’re asking LEAP for.
If it’s bill advice and gadgets you’re after, you need to be receiving the following:
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Pension Savings Credit
- Child Tax Credit / Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Reductions
- A Disability Benefit (Incl. Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance DLA, PIP, Severe Disablement Allowance)
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Or:
- Total annual household income less than £31,000
There’s different criteria if you want your boiler or appliance replaced.
For example, if you want a boiler replacement, which can cost up to £3,000, there needs to be someone in your household aged 65 or over, five or under or suffering from any one of a number of illnesses, including cancer.
Meanwhile, if you want an appliance replaced, you need to be receiving certain benefits, including Housing Benefit, Universal Credit and Income Support.
For more details and the full list of eligibility, you should visit applyforleap.org.uk.
How can I apply?
You can apply on the LEAP website, which does state that it is experiencing “unprecedented demand” for the service.
This means applications in some areas may be closed. In these areas referrals are only being accepted via partners, such as Citizens Advice.
The service is fully open for Scottish residents though.
Alternatively, you can call up to see if you might be eligible.
The number for English residents is 0800 060 7567 and the number for Scottish residents is 0800 029 4543.
What other bill help can I get?
The government announced in its Autumn Statement millions on benefits and Universal Credit will receive an extra one-off £900.
Eight million households currently get cost of living payments worth up to £650, but eligibility criteria could change under any new rules.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also said pensioners will be getting a £300 one-off payment.
The current “Pensioner Cost of Living payment” is being handed out to millions on a low income.
You qualify under the current rules if you normally get the Winter Fuel Payment, but this could change under the new rules.
The £300 cost of living payment is paid on top of the other winter support.
You’ll need to be:
- born on or before 25 September 1956
- have lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 in what is known as the “qualifying week”
Plus, struggling families are eligible for the Warm House Discount this winter.
Households in England and Wales don’t need to apply to get the cash and they’ll automatically qualify if they are receiving certain benefits.
You can read more about who’s eligible here.
There are also plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out if you’re struggling.
British Gas has recently confirmed that it’ll pay its most vulnerable customers grants worth £750 to help with sky-high bills.
Ask your supplier what’s on offer and how to apply, or check here:
