MORE older people will struggle to pay their heating bills this winter, according to a support organisation launching an appeal to give them the help they need to stay warm.
The Dorset Community Foundation (DCF) has launched its 16th annual Surviving Winter appeal in partnership with Citizens Advice, raising money to distribute £200 grants to pensioners and people aged 60 and over with a disability, who are living in fuel poverty.
Surviving Winter funding also helps the Citizens Advice Dorset energy team identify people at risk so they can offer the grants, as well as a range of other support.
In its previous 15 years, the appeal has raised more than £750,000 and awarded more than 3,000 grants.
DCF chair, Tom Flood CBE, said the appeal is still desperately needed.
“There are around 500 avoidable excess winter deaths each winter in Dorset, with national research estimating that more than a fifth are attributable to cold homes, and in 2026 we think this is unacceptable,” he said.
“Our partners at Citizens Advice tell us that they are seeing older people who are too scared to have their heating on at all in winter or are skipping meals because they are so worried about not being able to pay their fuel bills.”
Citizens Advice head of advice services, Ros Dignan, said rising prices across the board are putting the squeeze on peoples’ finances, with many of those who come to the charity for help are beginning the winter already in fuel debt.
“We have seen a lot of unaffordable direct debits put in place by energy companies because of automation,” she said.
“We’ve seen examples of £175 payments being increased to £300 because the company says it is based on usage, and that’s how people get into debt.
“I do worry that we will see an increase in hospital admissions because of the energy price cap increasing,” Ros added.
“The unit rate goes up and if people are using a lot of electricity or gas to keep warm – and we want them to keep warm – they’re going to be in even more debt.
“The budget is coming up next month and I think the reality is that prices are going up and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.
“We’re very clear that turning the tide on the cost of living requires getting to the roots of the issue – that means tackling energy bills, spiralling housing costs and addressing the levels of debt which have built up as people have tried and failed to keep up with rising costs.”
Citizens Advice energy advisers help clients boost their income by helping identify extra benefits to which they may be entitled, give them food vouchers and signpost them to other agencies and organisations, such as Ridgewater Energy, where they can get free home insulation and other energy help.
“We try to stop people from getting into the position where they are in debt in the future but it is difficult,” Ros said.
“We give them a lot of energy saving advice but they are already following all of those things and it’s still not enough.”
Spiralling oil prices mean households off the grid are seeing their costs rise.
“One of our advisors was talking to a client who had contacted an oil company to ask how much it would be for 500 litres on September 2 and within two weeks the price had gone up by over £100,” said Ros.
Around 14,700 households in the Dorset Council area rely solely on heating oil, according to the 2021 Census – almost one in 11 households. In some rural parts of North and West Dorset, the proportion is even higher.
Tom is appealing for people to donate to the appeal to help it support some of the 35,000 people living in fuel poverty in the county.
“We’d like to ask people, especially those who receive the Winter Fuel Payment and feel they may not need it, or all of it, to donate to our appeal and maybe help save a life,” he added.
“We’re so pleased to be working with Citizens Advice because of the support they provide. Every pound that people can spare will help us and Citizens Advice to keep people safe and warm this winter.”
Donate to the appeal at dorsetcommunityfoundation.org.uk, or send a cheque or bankers draft made payable to Dorset Community Foundation, to The Surviving Winter Appeal, Dorset Community Foundation, The Spire, High Street, Poole, BH15 1DF.
People can also donate through a BACS Transfer via: Charities Aid Foundation Bank, Sort Code: 40-52-40, Account Number:00083897, using reference SW, or on 01202 670815.
If you need energy support from Citizens Advice, contact them on 01929 775500 or at energy@edpcitizensadvice.org.uk.
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