Stage 1 - Energy advice Our expert advisors will talk to you about how to make best use of energy in your home and keep your bills as low as possible. Stage 2 - Benefits, tax credit checks and social tariffs You may be given the chance to get a benefit and tax credit check. This could help you find out if you are eligible to get more money through benefits or tax credits. If you are 60 or over and the benefit and tax credit check finds that you might be entitled to more money, you will be offered help with filling in the forms. Energy suppliers sometimes offer lower cost energy to those who need it, these are called social tariffs. If you qualify, we will help you contact your energy supplier about switching to the lowest tariff they offer. Stage 3 - Insulation measures from an energy supplier If your loft has 60 millimetres of loft insulation or less, you may get free loft insulation. If your home has un-insulated cavity walls, you may get free cavity wall insulation. Who might qualify for Stage 3? For this part of the package you must be a homeowner, or the tenant of a private-sector landlord (in which case you must get the landlord's permission), and; you or someone in your household:
- receive a qualifiying benefit
Or Or
- are 70 or over and have no central heating
If you are not in one of the groups listed but you or your partner is aged 70 or over you may still get free insulation. Even if you are not in any of these groups you may still be able to get subsidised, but not free insulation measures. Qualifying benefits for Stage 3: If you or someone in your household is aged 70 or over and have no central heating in your home or if you or someone in your household is aged 75 or over you do not need to be receiving benefits to qualify. For all other people, you need to be in receipt of one or more of the following benefit(s);
- Pension credit
- Child Tax credit or working tax credit (where income is less than the qualifying threshold*)
- Employment and support allowance
- Attendance allowance
- Disability living allowance
- Income support, income based jobseekers allowance
- Housing benefit
- Council tax benefit
- Disablement pension which includes a constant attendance allowance
- War disablement pension which includes a mobility supplement or a constant attendance allowance
Stage 4 Additional insulation and heating measures People who qualify might be entitled to more insulation, and a free central heating system. Example measures at stage 4 are:
- Installation of a new central heating system
- A new boiler
- Draught proofing
- Internal or external wall insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Room thermostats and heating controls
- Loft insulation
- Hot and cold water tank and pipe insulation
- Air source heat pump
Who might qualify for Stage 4? For this part of the package you must be a homeowner and have occupied the property as your only or main home for at least one year or the tenant of a private-sector landlord (in which case you must get the landlord's permission). If you or your partner is aged 60 or over and have no central heating system in your home you may be entitled to a free central heating system and insulation. If your home has a poor energy rating and you belong to one of the following groups you may be entitled to additional measures to improve the energy efficiency of your home. For example you may be eligible for a new heating system and insulation if you or your partner;
- are 75 or over
- are 60 or over and receive qualifying benefits
- has a child under 5 and receive qualifying benefits
- has a disabled child under 16 and receive qualifying benefits
- are pregnant and receive qualifying benefits
More homes are now eligible than ever before due to extensions to the scheme in December to include residential mobile homes and homes that already have some insulation. Qualifying benefits for stage 4 If you or your partner is aged 60 or over and have no central heating system in your home, or if you or your partner is aged 75 or over, you do not need to be receiving benefits to qualify, as long as you meet the previously stated criteria. For all other people, you need to meet the previously stated criteria, and be in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Guarantee element of pension credit.
- Child tax credit or working tax credit (where income is less than the qualifying threshold*).
- Attendance allowance.
- Disability living allowance.
- Employment and support allowance.
- Income support, income based jobseekers allowance.
- Housing benefit.
- Council tax benefit.
- Industrial injuries disablement benefit which includes a constant attendance allowance.
- War disablement pension which includes a mobility supplement or a constant attendance allowance.
If you are unsure if you qualify for any benefits, the Energy Assistance Package offers a benefits and tax credit checking service. What to do next To find out if you could benefit from the Energy Assistance Package call you local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre. Call 0800 512 012 to speak to one of our friendly advisors. *Please call the free phone number to check current income threshold levels
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