Older residents in Newtown are being urged to see if they can benefit from a free 'Warm Homes' service.
Age Cymru Powys is offering a range of free services to ensure elderly people can stay warm at home this winter.
The service is free for eligible residents and includes a home energy check and income maximisation check.
Steve Cadwallader-Jones, Home Energy Officer at Age Cymru Powys, said: “With the current crisis in the energy sector, people are facing increases in their gas and electric bills.
"This could lead to older people cutting back on their heating, which we know can be dangerous as older people are more vulnerable to the impacts of living in a cold home. This winter we will also need to live with Coronavirus, which we know can have more of an impact the older we are.
"We’re encouraging older Powys residents to make sure they’re claiming all the support they are entitled to, as many older people are missing out on money that is rightfully theirs. Our Warm Homes service will help you to keep warm and well in your home this winter.”
The Warm Homes service helps in two key ways:
1. FREE Income Maximisation Check
We help older people apply for the benefits they are entitled to. Maximising income lessens the stress of paying energy bills.
In 2020/21, Age UK identified over £51 million of unclaimed benefits within 6 months, with an average of £3,000 per year secured for each older person.
2. FREE Home Energy Check
Our Home Energy Officer will visit or telephone to assess the energy-efficiency of the home and provide energy advice to help keep fuel bills down.
We can fit equipment to increase the energy and thermal efficiency in the home, including free energy-saving light bulbs, draught excluders, and reflective radiator panels.
More details can be obtained by contacting Steve Cadwallader-Jones, Home Energy Officer - Age Cymru Powys, on 01597 825908, email: enquiries@acpowys.org.uk, or visit www.agecymru.org.uk/powys