Support to help vulnerable residents stay warm this winter

Energy Support Scheme from Reading Borough Council

The Energy Support Scheme offers advice and help to older people, people with disabilities or long term health conditions and families with very young children whose health and well being is most at risk because their homes are cold and damp. This includes:

  • a home energy check and advice on how to keep warm and healthy
  • encouraging people take up the grants available (ECO) to improve the insulation and heating in their homes
  • helping people get minor repairs carried out to their homes to stop draughts and protect them from the cold and emergency heating when possible

To get help from the Energy Support Scheme, please call 0118 937 3747 or email: EnergySupport@reading.gov.uk

Winter fuel payment

If you have reached the qualifying age and you receive certain benefits or a state pension you should get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for heating in winter. Call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0800 731 0160. Textphone 0800 731 0464.

More info can be found on the Gov.uk website (please see Related Links)

Cold weather payment

If you are on a low income and receive certain benefits you may be entitled to a Cold Weather Payment if the temperature falls below zero for seven days or more in a row between 1 November and 31 March. If you qualify you should get this payment automatically. Call your local Job Centre Plus for further info: 0800 169 0190 / Textphone: 0800 169 0314

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount is a one off discount off your winter electricity bill between September and March.  The discount will not be paid to you, but taken off your electricity bill sometime between September and March. 

For further information call 0800 030 9322 or and to find out up to date discount amount visit https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

Priority services register

All energy suppliers have a priority service register for households with vulnerable residents. By signing up to this you will be entitled to special services including:

  • Free annual gas safety checks
  • Extra consideration if there is an interruption to the power supply if you rely on power for medical equipment
  • Password schemes to protect you from bogus callers
  • Advice on energy efficiency, bills and price plans
  • Providing bills in easy-to-read formats.

Call your energy supplier to register.

Click on this link to find out more information on how to access the Priority Services Register, provided by Thames Water

Click on this link to find out more information on how to access the Priority Services Register provided by SSE

Social tariff

If you get disability allowances, benefits or tax credits you may qualify for your energy supplier’s Social Tariff (contact them directly). This is their cheapest tariff for gas and
electricity. 

However, if you can pay monthly direct debit or have internet billing you may get better deals and it always worth shopping around to see what other offers are available – use a price comparison service like energy helpline. Call 01204 916 135 or visit the Energy Helpline website.

What are the warning signs of hyporthermia?

Sometimes it is hard to tell if a person has hypothermia. Look for clues. Is the house very cold? Is the person not dressed for cold weather? Is the person speaking slower than normal and having trouble keeping his or her balance?

Watch for the signs of hypothermia in yourself, too. You might become confused if your body temperature gets very low. Talk to your family and friends about the warning signs so they can look out for you.

Early signs of hypothermia:

  • Cold feet and hands
  • Puffy or swollen face
  • Pale skin
  • Shivering (in some cases the person with hypothermia does not shiver)
  • Slower than normal speech or slurring words
  • Acting sleepy
  • Being angry or confused

 Later signs of hypothermia:

  • Moving slowly, trouble walking, or being clumsy
  • Stiff and jerky arm or leg movements
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Slow, shallow breathing
  • Blacking out or losing consciousness

Call an ambulance right away if you think someone has warning signs of hypothermia.

What to do after you call 999:

  • Try to move the person to a warmer place.
  • Wrap the person in a warm blanket, towels, or coats—whatever is handy. Even your own body warmth will help. Lie close, but be gentle.
  • Give the person something warm to drink, but avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, such as regular coffee.
  • Do not rub the person's legs or arms.
  • Do not try to warm the person in a bath.
  • Do not use a heating pad.

Page last reviewed: 12/02/2024

Contact the Team

Family Information Service

fis@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

SEND Local Offer

localoffer@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

Adult & Carers Support

CSAAdvice.Signposting@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3747 0118 937 3747
Skip back to top of page