Help to manage fuel costs

We are partnering with the Carers Trust and over 20 local charities across the UK to work on a special project. The aim is to provide a range of advice and practical support to help unpaid carers (including those in employment) manage their household fuel costs as outlined below.

Information for all unpaid carers to help manage their fuel bills

We have been given access to some support from energy companies that enables us to help unpaid carers with their household fuel bills. This is a new project that is an addition to the free advice and support services we've been offering carers for the past 30 years. Below are various statistics that helps illustrate how thousands of households are unable to heat their homes, and an outline of the type of support we can offer to help carers manage fuel costs.

Information for unpaid carers who are also in employment

All our support services are available to unpaid carers in employment, and this new project could provide some very practical help with household fuel costs. In addition to the free advice about financial management and energy efficiency, we can also help carers check their eligibility for small grants from the project or other sources of financial support. We also want to help local businesses look at ways they could support carers in their workforce.

Information for businesses with employees that are unpaid carers

Many unpaid carers that are also working have to leave employment because of their caring role. If you are part of a business with unpaid carers in your workforce, we can provide free advice and examples of how some employers support unpaid carers in their workforce. This could be signposting our services to carers or setting up a 'company carer support group'. We'd welcome the chance to discuss ideas with local businesses on how to help carers and also help them retain employees.

How many households are being effected by fuel costs

National Energy Action is the national charity offering advice and support to fuel-poor households in England, Wales and N.Ireland. Since the energy crisis started in October 2021, the average energy bill has risen significantly and NEA estimates 5.6 million UK households are now using 10% or more of their income on keeping their homes warm.

This is equivalent to 13% of households at a national level, but the research suggests this increases to 17% for the Yorkshire & Humber Region. The number of households in 5 constituencies of Sheffield ranges from 14% to 21% with an average for the city being the same as the regional average of 17%. For more detail visit the website of National Energy Action >>> and their Constituency Map >>>

How households are managing their fuel bills

The government’s target is for as many fuel-poor homes as practicable to have a minimum energy efficiency rating of Band C by 2030. Recent polling by the NEA and YouGov found that:

49% had turned their heating off even though it was cold in the house.
43% had gone to bed early to stay warm.
41% of prepayment meter customers had times with no credit on their meter.

How we can help

The team at Sheffield Carers Centre offer a wide range of free information, advice and support to unpaid carers. This service now includes the following help for carers with their fuel costs.

1: Free information and advice
Energy Efficiency: advice on reducing energy usage and managing associated costs
Energy Debt: helping cares review their cost and identifying possible support options

2: Signposting to support options
Priority Service: for carers to apply to their local energy provider to access a priority service
Benefits Calculator: carers can quickly check eligibility with this Carers Trust Calculator >>>

3: Practical support
Carbon Monoxide Alarms: providing access to carbon monoxide alarms that detect high levels of CO
Financial Support: check carers' eligibility for small grants from this project or other sources

Find out more about the support we can provide

If you are an unpaid carer and want more information about the above please complete this form and one of our team will contact you to answer queries and provide advice.
Contact form for unpaid carers >>>

If you work at a business with unpaid carers in the workforce and would like information about how to support these employees please complete this form and we'll contact you to answer queries.
Contact form for businesses >>>