EDF Fuel Grants
Many people and communities in East London struggle to pay their gas and electricity bills. Grants are available, funded by the EDF Energy Trust, to help people clear their unmanageable arrears and manage their future fuel use effectively. Clients can be assisted if they are a customer of London Energy, SWEB Energy, Seeboard Energy or EDF Energy. Our Money Adviser:-
Helps people apply for fuel grants from the Trust, including checking for benefits entitlement or further financial help that may be available
Runs seminars to raise awareness of fuel efficiency among the public, especially vulnerable groups such as older people
Trains front line staff in public service and advice organisations
Develops referral arrangements with a wide range of public and community support organisations
Are you eligible?
If you are struggling to pay your gas or electricity bills and would like further information or if you are an organisation that provides services to the public and feel your clients many benefit from one or more of the services provided, please contact Sonia Munroe on our EDF Fuel Grant hotline020 8534 3487
Energy Grant Case Studies
Help with Gas and Electricity Bills...Case 1
The client was a single parent with three children. Her daughter age 17 suffers from Lupus and Raynauds Syndrome. Due to her daughterÕs condition the heating has to be kept on in order to keep her daughter warm. In March 2005 Income Support, Council Tax and Housing Benefit were suspended and as a consequence the client could not afford to pay her gas and electricity bill which had been sent to her at the same time. She went to the Citizen Advice Bureau who helped her with her benefit problems. The CAB referred the client to Elfi. Elfi submitted an application to the EDF Energy Trust. The Trust paid both her electricity and gas bills which amounted to £277.79 and £573.86 respectively.Case 2
The client was HIV positive and suffering from depression. He was paying £8.00 per month via a monthly payment plan. The amount of energy consumed had been underestimated by British Gas. British Gas requested that his monthly payments be increased to £30.00 per month to cover payment of the arrears as well current consumption. The client was in receipt of welfare benefits and could not afford the monthly payments. The client then received his electricity bill which he could not afford to pay. An application was submitted to the British Gas Energy Trust. The Trust paid his electricity bill amounting to £537.41 and electricity bill amounting to £198.34Case 3
The client was living with his partner and son. The client moved into his current address in 2003. The previous owner had left the property with outstanding arrears on the electricity account. The client received bills in the previous tenantÕs name. The client negotiated with London Energy but was left with a large bill which he could not afford to pay. From March 2003 to March 2005 the client made only minimal payments towards his current consumption. London Energy decided to take the matter to court. The client saw the Elfi worker who on doing a benefit check found that he was not receiving all the benefits he was entitled to. Elfi helped the client apply for child benefit, child tax credit and council tax benefit. Elfi also helped the client supply a written submission to the court explaining his mitigating circumstances. An application was made to the EDF Energy Trust. The application was successful and as a result £1999.78 was paid to the clientÕs electricity account.