Apply Now for New Energy Crisis Support Help

Radiator Thermostat Control Dial

The first payments to residents facing a crisis due to their energy bills have been made as part of the Council’s new Support Scheme.

At the end of March, the Council’s Cabinet committed half a million pounds to provide grants of up to £250 to households unable to pay their bills or top up their pre-payment meters due to the rising cost of gas and electricity.

The fund was subsequently topped up by a further £250,000 from the government’s Household Support Fund to extend more help to pensioners, meaning that older age households struggling with any aspect of the cost-of-living crisis can receive up to £400.

The new support package is available to both working and non-working households.

In order to qualify for the Energy Crisis Support 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.

Applications are assessed by specialist Council staff who can also offer advice on welfare benefit, training schemes or referrals to other relevant services, depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

To make sure the money is paid to those most in need, 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.

To find out more about the scheme and apply for support visit our money matters pages. Anyone needing assistance to make an application can contact the Council on 01709 382121.

Virtually all eligible households across the borough have also now received payments of £150 (to properties in Council Tax bands A to D) or £90 (to properties in Band E and above) under the national Council Tax Rebate scheme.

Councillor Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Council, said: “We saw again last week how for some people on low incomes rising utility bills has made an already difficult situation almost impossible. That’s exactly why we set up the Energy Crisis Support Scheme, committing three quarters of a million pounds to support those in need of help. It’s also why it’s important that the Council is able to offer advice and support to assist people on a longer-term basis, not just with the short-term cash they might need. The first people are now benefitting from the scheme, and I’d urge anyone who is finding themselves in an impossible position at the moment to make an application and access the support.”

Published: 13th June 2022