Heating your home adequately during the winter is really important.  Exposure to low temperatures is dangerous for your health and increases the likelihood of the pipes in your home freezing.   Increases in fuel costs have made heating a home increasingly expensive, but you may qualify for some assistance with fuel costs.

• Safe temperature
• Financial help to heat your home
• Tips to stay warm

Safe temperature

Maintaining a safe temperature in your home reduces the risk of illness.  Try to keep your main living area at a temperature between 18 and 21 degrees.  Make sure your bedroom is warm before you go to bed at night and set the timer on your heating system so your heat comes on before you get up in the morning.

If you use an electric blanket or heater, make sure you follow the necessary safety measures and unplug these before you go to sleep.

Some people switch off radiators in rooms that they don’t use.  You can do this, but remember to turn radiators back on in good time if you intend using the room.  Circulating warm air through your house and attic greatly reduces the risk of frozen and burst pipes, so don’t leave heat off permanently.

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Financial help to heat your home

There are some schemes available which provide financial assistance to people who cannot afford to heat their homes.

One off fuel allowance payment

In December 2011, the Department for Social Development announced that more than 250,000 people in Northern Ireland will qualify for a one off fuel allowance payment to assist with the costs of heating their homes.

You should receive this payment if you are in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (income related) and Jobseekers Allowance, between the dates of Monday 12 December and Sunday 18 December 2011.

Payments are processed automatically and you should receive the money and a notification letter in February 2012.  You do not need to apply for this payment.

The money will be allocated on the following basis:

• a £100 payment will be made to those in receipt of Pension Credit
• a £100 payment will be made tor those receiving cancer treatment
• a £75 payment will be paid to those in receipt of Income Support
• a £75 payment will be made to those in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
• a £75 payment will be made to those in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance income based

Winter fuel payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is a one-off payment, paid to people born on or before 5 January 1951.  If you receive a state pension or other benefits it should be paid automatically to you if you meet the age requirement and can show you were normally resident in Northern Ireland on any day between 19 and 25 September 2011.

If you do not receive a state pension or benefits you will have to apply for the payment.  You can do this online or by telephoning 08459 151 515.  The amount that you get depends on your age and your personal circumstances.  Find out more by visiting NIDirect. (www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/information-and-services/pensions-and-retirement-planning/all-about-benefits/benefits-when-you-retire/guide-to-benefits-in-retirement/winter-fuel-payment/winter-fuel-payment-overview.htm)

Cold weather payment

If you are in receipt of Pension Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income-based ) or Employment and Support Allowance (Income related), you may qualify for a Cold Weather Payment.

Cold weather payments are paid out when the temperature drops to 0 degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days.  You should receive £25 for each 7 day period of cold weather.  Payments should be made automatically.

Warm Homes Scheme

The Warm Homes Scheme is open to people who own their home or rent from a private landlord.  You must meet certain eligibility criteria to apply and may qualify if you receive any of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income Related Employment Support Allowance
• Income Based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (with relevant income less than £15,860)
• Working Tax Credit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Housing Benefit

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Tips to stay warm

Dress warmly

Save on heating costs by dressing warmly during periods of cold weather.  Wearing thin layers of clothing can help you to manage your body temperature better than just wearing one layer of thick clothing.

Insulate

A well insulated home is much more energy efficient and much warmer than a home without insulation.  Some energy providers can help with the cost of installing insulation.  Insulation is included as a measure in the Warm Homes Scheme.

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