Funding is available to support households in vulnerable situations through the provision of emergency fuel vouchers.
The funding is provided through the Energy Redress Scheme and is being administered by Stockton and District Advice and Information Service (SDAIS) and local Citizens Advice.
Eligibility:
Energy Fuel vouchers are available to households that meet all 3 of the following criteria;
- have a pre-payment meter and use a top-up card/key
- have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in a way that has increased their vulnerability (this could include loss of job/reduced income/additional energy costs due to self-isolation etc)
- are at risk of self-disconnection ( less than £10 credit)
Clients must be able to receive voucher code details by e-mail or text.
Clients will need to provide evidence that they are on a PPM and they are at risk of disconnection. This evidence should be in the form of a photograph that includes the meter showing credit amount and ID that shows client name and address.
Process:
If you have a client that would benefit from an emergency fuel voucher:
- complete the Referral form as far as possible
- e-mail to the Contact person at your local Citizens Advice (details below)
- the Citizens Advice Office will complete the necessary eligibility and evidence checks
- if client is eligible an emergency fuel voucher will be sent to the client by e-mail.
- if the client does not have an e-mail, the local Citizens Advice will text the voucher code to the client
- the client will need to take this code to their local Paypoint or Post Office outlet and redeem the voucher
- vouchers will normally be sent to client within 2 working days of referral
Contact info:
For clients living in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees your local contact is;
Emma Wilson at Stockton and District Advice and Information Service.
Referral Forms should be sent to:
Emma Wilson at ewilson@stockton-cab.co.uk
If you have any enquiries telephone SDAIS on 01642 633877