Marches Energy Agency (MEA) will be offering free & impartial energy advice to STAR Housing tenants this winter, thanks to funding from the Ebico Trust.
MEA are a Shrewsbury based charity specialising in supporting households to keep warm and stay in control of their energy bills.
A new partnership between MEA and the Ebico Trust will enable STAR Housing tenants to seek expert advice and support through a local Freephone advice line.
Advice will be available in relation to fuel debt, tariffs and billing, issues with suppliers and any other energy related issues.
Many STAR tenants may also be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, a £140 reduction on their electricity bill for winter 2017/18.
Criteria for this discount vary between energy suppliers, but it is generally available to those on a low income, and in receipt of certain means-tested benefits. If you think you may be entitled to the discount, MEA are encouraging you to contact them as soon as possible as schemes operate on a ‘first come first serve basis’ and often close early.
Recent figures suggest that more than 1 in 10 households in Shropshire struggle to afford their energy bills or adequately heat their homes.
Tenants with particularly challenging issues in relation to their energy use may also qualify for a free home energy visit, where support can be offered at home by a trained MEA energy expert.
Oliver Rothwell, Project Manager at MEA, said:
“We are delighted that funding from the Ebico Trust will allow tenants from STAR to benefit from free & impartial energy advice and support this winter.
"We encourage any tenants with energy issues to contact us to see what we can do to help them, particularly if they are having issues with their bills or their energy supplier, or if they think they may qualify for discounts and additional support.”
Any tenants who think they might benefit from energy advice or support this winter, should contact Marches Energy Agency by calling 0800 112 3743 or by emailing advice@mea.org.uk.
