Summer may be here but start thinking now about keeping warm this winter

With the recent warm weather we have experienced in Wales, and with the Summer fast approaching, it is very easy to forget the cold and damp of Winter, and the challenges of heating homes efficiently.
However, now is the best time for vulnerable householders to prepare for Winter 2010, by accessing HEES[Home energy efficiency scheme] and making their homes warmer and healthier.
With the warmer weather, we traditionally see a seasonal drop in referrals, and we urge householders who may be eligible for HEES to come forward and apply for the Scheme now, so that they will receive improvement works they are entitled to in time for Winter.

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) is a Welsh Assembly Government funded initiative aimed at making homes in Wales warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. The HEES grant provides a package of heating and insulation improvements up to the value of £3,600 (or £How do I qualify?
There are two levels of the grant; HEES is for householders who are pregnant and in receipt of a MAT B1 certificate or families with children under 16. HEES Plus is for householders who are 60 and over, lone parents with children under 16 and persons who are receiving certain sickness or disability related benefits. All must be in receipt of the relevant benefits or allowances.
HEES (grant of up to £2,000)
Householders who either have a child aged under 16 or are pregnant and have been given maternity certificate MAT B1 and are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
Income Support
Working Tax Credit (with income less than £16,040)
Council Tax Benefit
Child Tax Credit (with income less than £16,040)
Housing Benefit
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
If you received work under the scheme prior to October 2006, the HEES grant you are entitled to will be up to £1,500. The amount available to you will also be reduced by the cost of any work you have previously received.
HEES Plus (grant of up to £3,600)
Householders who are either aged 60 or over or are lone parent families with a child aged less than 16 years, and are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
Income Support
Housing Benefit
State Pension Credit
Council Tax Benefit
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance; or
Or householders who are disabled or chronically ill and are receiving one or more of the following benefits:
Income Support (which must include the Disability Premium)
Working Tax Credit (which must include the Disability Premium)
Housing Benefit (which must include the Disability Premium)
Council Tax Benefit (which must include the Disability Premium)
War Disablement Pension (which must include Constant Attendance Allowance or Mobility Supplement)
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which must include Constant Attendance Allowance)
Disability Living Allowance
Attendance Allowance
Or householders, claiming Child Benefit, with a child under 16, with the child receiving:
Disability Living Allowance
Householders living in Wales who are aged over 80 do not need to be in receipt of any benefits to automatically qualify for HEES Plus.
If you received work under the scheme prior to October 2006, the HEES Plus grant you are entitled to will be up to £2,700. The amount available to you will also be reduced by the cost of any work you have previously received.
HEES Partial Grant Voucher (up to £500)
If you are aged 60 or over and you own your home, you may be eligible to claim up to £500 (or £375 if you have received work through the scheme before October 2006) towards the cost of energy efficiency improvements, even if you are not in receipt of any benefits. The amount available to you will also be reduced by the cost of any work you have previously received.5,000 where oil central heating is required). Householders who think they qualify can call us on 0800 316 2815.