making a fresh start with energy debt
Grants to Organisations
Case Studies
Brighton and Hove Citizens Advice Bureau
Brighton and Hove Citizens Advice Bureau was awarded a grant of £83,660 for a three year period in 2007 to increase awareness of the EDF Energy Trust and access to fuel poverty programmes through seminars and networking with various agencies.
Each client that is referred to the Trust's Project is informed by the Fuel Poverty Worker of all the different fuel tariffs, local schemes, other trusts and energy advice websites that are all available to the client. Craig Golding, the Fuel Poverty Worker, has put together a Fuel Information Sheet to ensure all his clients receive this essential information and that they are well informed of all their options.
One client came to the Bureau shortly after he had been released from prison. In the time he had been in prison, the client's mortgage was not being paid and his fuel debts were mounting up. He was referred to a Debt Caseworker at the Bureau and then Craig. Together they helped the client deal with this mortgage arrears as well as clear his electricity debt with EDF Energy through the submission of an application to the Trust.
The Bureau is constantly promoting the project through its services such as its Adult Advancement and Careers service.
Waltham Forest Citizens Advice Bureau
Waltham Forest Citizens Advice Bureau was awarded £119,751 for a three year period in 2007 for a project which operates a priority referral scheme with local advice agencies as well as raising awareness of the EDF Energy Trust.
All clients receive face to face debt management advice that covers priority and non-priority debts, how to complete a basic financial statement, budgeting and energy saving tips. The Bureau provides information on sources of help if the client requires more specialist money advice and all clients are issued with an information pack as a self help toolkit. The Bureau carries out involved discussions with clients to assess their eligibility for any grants and to see what can be done to keep their home warmer and reduce their household bills.
One client was paying £15 per week directly from her benefits to British Gas to clear arrears and keep up with current consumption. On checking, it seemed that she was in credit. The Bureau was advised that the client was £154 in credit, so they wrote to the Jobcentre Plus explaining the situation and requesting that they stop deducting the money from the client's Income Support. Through discussions with the client, the Bureau was able to save the client money which enabled her to budget more effectively.