Support for South Shropshire Park Home Owners Welcomed by Stuart Anderson
Shropshire’s park home owners are urged to apply for a £150 payment scheme that helps those struggling with energy bills. The previous government worked with Charis Grants to set up the ‘Park Homes Warm Home Discount’ scheme in 2016, in partnership with Ofgem so that energy companies can support fuel-poor households living in park homes. This year’s scheme launched on 2nd October.
Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed this iteration of the support scheme, which he said will be especially important following new restrictions on eligibility for winter fuel payments introduced by the government. 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.
The £150 payments are available to park home residents who do not have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier, instead paying for their bills through pitch fees or to their site owner. The scheme 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. Park home residents may also benefit from the Energy Company Obligation and Boiler Upgrade Scheme. The multi-supplier initiative is this year being generously funded by E.ON Next, Utilita, OVO, and Rebel Energy. The scheme is Ofgem approved and regulated.
Residents can apply through an easy-to-use online application form. This is hosted by Charis’ partner Lightning Reach who can help find and apply for other financial support which may be available. Residents must live permanently 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. 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.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"The government's decision to scrap winter fuel payments for those not in receipt of means-tested benefits represents losses of up to £300 for almost a third of residents in South Shropshire. I want to mitigate the impact of this decision as much as possible, which is why I was pleased to secure an extra £2 million for Shropshire from the Household Support Fund. The previous government worked with Charis Grants to set up the ‘Park Homes Warm Home Discount’ scheme in 2016, in partnership with Ofgem so that energy companies can support fuel-poor households living in park homes. I welcome this latest iteration of the scheme, which means that people who live in park homes may be eligible to access payments of £150 to help with energy costs this winter. This support could be a crucial lifeline for many, so I would encourage everyone who believes they may be eligible to apply as soon as possible.”
Jonathan Hunt, Charis’s Director of Client Services 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.”
Funding is limited and applications will be considered on a first come, first served basis until all monies are allocated. If successful, a payment of £150 will be made directly into their bank/building society account by 31st March 2025. Charis Grants Ltd was founded in 2003 to facilitate the distribution of funds and grants by energy companies, charities, housing associations and other bodies, such as the Citizens Advice, which help vulnerable people in the community. For more details, please visit www.charisgrants.com/partners/park-homes. To make an application, go to www.lightningreach.org/charis.
