WHAT TO DO ABOUT FUEL POVERTY

These pages are intended to help you deal with fuel and energy problems experienced by households and  to provide information and guidance on how to resolve these problems.

IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEMS

Individuals will not identify themselves as suffering from fuel poverty.  Instead they will often highlight a range of problems that could be signs of fuel poverty.  Common complaints are:

• I can't pay my electricity/gas bill               
• I'm about to be disconnected
• I can't afford to heat my home
• my house is cold
• my house is damp
• I'm always ill.

Solutions	Go to:
Ensure individual is on the correct payment option	Paying for energy
Check availability of welfare/ benefit  payments	Maximising Income
Check availability of grants to improve insulation and energy efficiency in the home	Warmer Homes
Discuss potential for saving money by switching suppliers/changing tariff	Switching supplier
Health and Safety / Legal / Elderly and Disabled customers (Priority Group)	Other issues

NEA acknowledges the support of  E.ON UK in developing these advice pages

Reviewed: 11/06/2008