Park home residents across South Shropshire are being urged by Stuart Anderson MP to apply for warm home discounts worth £150 - while funding remains available. Charis Autumn Park Homes Warm Home Discount Scheme has seen more applications than ever before - with more than half of the funding already allocated to vulnerable households.
Permanent park home and static caravan residents across England, Scotland and Wales can apply for a £150 payment to help towards their gas or electricity bills - with applications considered on a first come first served basis. The scheme, which has been described as a "lifesaver", also offers essential items like fridges and freezers.
Grants have been offered since 2016, when the previous government worked with Charis Grants in partnership with Ofgem to set up the scheme - enabling energy companies to support fuel-poor households living in park homes. This year, the multi-supplier initiative is being generously funded by E.ON Next, Utilita, OVO, and Rebel Energy.
The £150 payments are available to qualifying park home residents who do not have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier and instead pay for their energy bills through pitch fees or directly to the site owner. Park home residents may also benefit from the Energy Company Obligation and Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
The scheme is Ofgem approved and regulated. It is funded voluntarily by energy suppliers through the ‘Industry Initiatives’ element of the Warm Home Discount scheme, under which energy suppliers can also provide extra support to households through measures such as financial assistance, debt write-off, and energy efficiency.
Residents can apply through an easy-to-use online application form, the 'Lightning Portal.' This is hosted by Charis’ partner Lightning Reach, who can help find and apply for other financial support which may be available.
With a reasonable proportion of funding still available, Stuart is calling on eligible residents who have not yet applied to submit their applications as quickly as possible. Once all funding has been allocated, the Scheme will remain closed until 2025. Successful applicants will receive payments directly into their bank accounts by March 2025.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"News that energy prices will rise again from January, when the Energy Price Cap increases by a further £21, will be worrying for many residents across South Shropshire. When added to October's increase, it means the cap on typical annual bills has risen by £170 since October - an increase of more than 10 per cent. I want to ensure vulnerable households get the support they need. So, I welcome Charis' Park Homes Warm Home Discount Scheme. It offers financial stability and peace of mind to vulnerable households in off-grid communities. With a fair proportion of funding still available, I urge all eligible residents to submit applications as soon as possible."
Jonathan Hunt, director of clients at Charis, said:
“There are people in our society that often get overlooked by the usual support systems. We want to ensure they know about the payment they are entitled to. Otherwise, these people may be facing significant pressures, despite this help being there.”
In England, there are 85,000 households living on 1,832 parks. Shropshire contains the fourth largest number of park homes per Local Authority area, with a total of 39 sites. 80% of park home residents are 65 or older, with 78% fully retired. Many are on low incomes or suffer from ill-health.
Residents can apply if they are permanently living in a park home, pay council tax, and either receive means tested government benefits or tax credits, or have a household income of less than £19,978. Details for the scheme can be found at www.charisgrants.com/partners/park-homes. Residents can apply at www.lightningreach.org/charis.
People needing help with making an application can ask for the help of a friend or relative, or contact the customer support team, Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00, on 01733 797543.
