Carers struggle with fuel poverty
Carers fuel poverty
9 out of 10 of Nation’s Carers worried about impending winter fuel bills, risking health, incurring debt and sacrificing comfort as a result of increasingly high energyA new survey commissioned by Turn2us, part of the national charity Elizabeth Finn Care, reveals the worrying situation faced by the UK’s six million carers as winter approaches.
Two thirds (66%) of carers surveyed struggled to pay their bills last winter and over nine in ten (92%) have concerns about being able to pay increasingly high energy bills this year. Moreover, two fifths (42%) faced debt as a result of last years costs, with 1 in 5 (21%) incurring over £600 owed as a direct result of covering fuel bills.The high cost of heating a home, and keeping the household clean and fed, means many must take drastic measures. Shockingly, over a quarter (29%) of carers surveyed were unable to turn on their heating last winter for 14 days or more, with one quarter (25%) attempting to cut costs by heating only in one room of their house and two fifths (42%) wearing extra clothes to bed in order to keep fuel costs down.Alison Taylor, Director of Turn2us says: “Carers dedicate themselves to the incredibly demanding role of caring for ill or disabled relatives or friends. As winter approaches, we urge carers to ensure that they check their welfare benefit entitlement, together with which grant-giving funds may be available to them by using the Turn2us service at www.turn2us.org.uk.” Turn2us are encouraging carers to check their eligibility for financial support. Anyone can visit the free, accessible website www.turn2us.org.uk to help access the money available to them – through welfare benefits, charitable grants and other help.
Two thirds (66%) of carers surveyed struggled to pay their bills last winter and over nine in ten (92%) have concerns about being able to pay increasingly high energy bills this year. Moreover, two fifths (42%) faced debt as a result of last years costs, with 1 in 5 (21%) incurring over £600 owed as a direct result of covering fuel bills.The high cost of heating a home, and keeping the household clean and fed, means many must take drastic measures. Shockingly, over a quarter (29%) of carers surveyed were unable to turn on their heating last winter for 14 days or more, with one quarter (25%) attempting to cut costs by heating only in one room of their house and two fifths (42%) wearing extra clothes to bed in order to keep fuel costs down.Alison Taylor, Director of Turn2us says: “Carers dedicate themselves to the incredibly demanding role of caring for ill or disabled relatives or friends. As winter approaches, we urge carers to ensure that they check their welfare benefit entitlement, together with which grant-giving funds may be available to them by using the Turn2us service at www.turn2us.org.uk.” Turn2us are encouraging carers to check their eligibility for financial support. Anyone can visit the free, accessible website www.turn2us.org.uk to help access the money available to them – through welfare benefits, charitable grants and other help.
Alternatively, call the FirstStop Advice team on 0800 377 7070. Click here to read more on state benefits
http://www.firststopcareadvice.org.uk/
