Winter Warmth

Winter can be a tough time. You may be worried both about your fuel bills and how to stay warm.

There is help and advice available from organisations across Dumfries and Galloway.

Energy advice

Bill problems? Owe money? Cut yourself off/turned the heating off? Can't put money on your key card or buy fuel?

The organisations below can speak with your provider, or help you do that. They might be able to reduce your bill, get some of it paid off, or get agreement that you can pay it off more slowly. They might also be able to help you with emergency top up fuel vouchers.

You can speak to:

Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (DAGCAS)

They can help with fuel debt, issues with fuel bills, fuel vouchers and key cards. Call 0300 303 4321 for an appointment or email info@dagcas.org

Home Energy Scotland

They can help with energy saving advice, grants, funding, and benefits checks. For impartial advice: call free on 0808 808 2282 or go to homeenergyscotland.org

Lemon Aid Fuel Project

They can support on fuel related issues such as bills, debt, Warm Home discount applications, support to get back on supply, and grants. Call free on 0800 049 6528 for an appointment or email dumfries@chaltd.org

If you are on Pension Credit, you can also get free coal, peat, logs, briquettes and kindling from the D and G Handyvan: Warmer Homes for Winter Project. You can apply by requesting an application form by emailing info@dghandyvan.org.uk or by phoning 0800 069 9173.

If you feel you can sort things yourself with a bit of information, check out: citizensadvice.org.uk

Benefits advice

Lots of people, including older people and people with health conditions, miss out on the benefits they should be getting which could help them pay their fuel bills.

These organisations can check you are getting what you are due, and help you to apply for benefits if you are not:

Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (DAGCAS)

Call 0300 303 4321 for an appointment or email info@dagcas.org.

Dumfries and Galloway Council Financial Inclusion and Welfare Support Team (60 years plus)

Call 0303 333 3008 for an appointment,  email fiwsreferrals@dumgal.gov.uk or go to www.dumgal.gov.uk/benefits.

Social Security Scotland

Call free on 0800 182 2222 for an appointment or apply online at www.mygov.scot/benefits. Help is available for Scottish Government benefits for disabled people, carers and children.

If you feel you can sort things yourself with a bit of information please visit citizensadvice.org.uk or turn2us.org.uk

Help in a crisis

Choosing between heating and eating? Run out of money?

If things have got very difficult, if it feels like you are in a crisis, perhaps you are choosing between heating and eating, or have run out of money, there is help.

The Scottish Welfare Fund

This fund is run by the council. They may be able to provide money to help you with basic living costs, including energy bills. Find out about or apply for a Crisis Grant by calling 0303 333 3007, or going online to dumgal.gov.uk/scottishwelfarefund

Emergency Energy Payment Assistance Programme

This provides help to cover the costs of home energy payments for older and vulnerable people in receipt of at least one form of benefit payment. Find out more

Community organisations can provide food parcels and other assistance. Find out more or visit dglocator.org.uk

Advice on saving energy

Some simple things to do right now to cut your bills (and worry less).

You can do some simple things right now to help you stay warm and cut your bills.

• if you can, switch off standby on your TV and other appliances
• turn off the lights when you leave a room
• only fill your kettle with the water you need
• use the washing machine at a lower temperature

You can also get information and advice about energy efficiency grants from your home from Home Energy Scotland. Call free on 0808 808 2282 or go to homeenergyscotland.org

Advice on keeping warm, well and safe

It's important to keep warm and heat your home properly if you or a family member are older or have a health condition.

Tips for keeping warm, well and safe:

• heat rooms that you use regularly to at least 18c, particularly if you have a health condition
• keep the heat in your home by closing windows and curtains at night
• layer-up - several thinner layers of clothing is better than one thick layer
• keep active at home - try and move around
• eat a least one hot meal a day
• have regular hot drinks
• check the weather forecast before you go out, go to metoffice.gov.uk
• when you do go out, wrap up well, and wear shoes with a good grip particularly if it's snowy or icy
• check out local warm spaces, for a chat a cup of tea, sometimes a bite to eat, and some activities
• check out the DG Locator website dglocator.org.uk

More information on staying healthy and warm this winter is available from NHS Inform www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/healthy-know-how