Scores of people on the Shotley peninsula without direct contact with an electric supplier can now get support to pay their energy bill.

House-boat owners and those living in park homes and care homes, and anyone who their energy through a commercial contract or who are off-grid, can now apply for a one-off, non-repayable lump sum of £400.

This will affect dozens of people on the peninsula and Babergh is keen for residents to apply for help with energy bills and utilities: https://www.babergh.gov.uk/benefits/cost-of-living-support/i-need-help/energy-fuel-and-utilities/. 

Houseboats in Pin Mill (Picture: Nub News)

A number of properties may be eligible, including:

• residential park homes
• boats on a permanent residential mooring
• those on a permanent Gypsy and Traveller site
• those part of a heat network without an electricity meter
• those in social or private rented accommodation which has a business energy connection or a communal electricity supply
• homes off the mains electricity or gas grid
• those in a care home or assisted living facility and you pay for some or all of your care (directly or through loss of pension or other benefits)
• those in a separate domestic home within a non-domestic property (such as a farmhouse or a flat above a shop) 

You can find more information at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/apply-energy-bill-support-if-not-automatic The best way to find out if someone is eligible for this support and apply is to visit the GOV.uk website and search 'Apply for energy bill support'.

Cllr Mary McLaren (Picture contributed)

Stour ward councillor Mary McLaren, Babergh cabinet member for Communities and Wellbeing, said: "This Government-funded scheme is about getting money out to support households. This could be vulnerable residents who don't directly pay their energy supplier and so haven't received the existing support.

 "The previous discount was automatically applied for many people. We have worked hard for the last six months to identify even more people that would benefit from discretionary support, but no one should wait to be told they are eligible – please check to see if you can apply.

"Those living in park homes, on houseboats, or paying for their energy through a housing manager, all may qualify. In challenging times such as this we want to make sure everyone gets what they need to stay warm and safe." 

Babergh councillor Derek Davis, who represents Ganges ward, which has two residential park within Shotley, added: "This is a welcome boost for those who are off-grid as such.

"However, it would also be beneficial for those living on he peninsula with a heavy dependence on oil to heat their homes, so I would like to see the scheme extended."

There are also links to the cost of living support available from central Government, Suffolk County Councils, and partners listed on the Suffolk InfoLink directory, which can all be found on the Babergh website here...: 

Cllr Derek Davis (Picture contributed)