COST-OF-LIVING: Find out what advice Radius Housing are providing to help our tenants through this difficult period. Read more
The cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone with the cost of everyday essentials, like groceries and bills, rising faster than ever before. At Radius we recognise that everyone is finding it difficult to manage, so we’ve created a quick guide to help our tenants
Cost-of-Living Crisis Advice
At the bottom of this page, there are a series of links where you can get further help and advice with respect to helping you through this on a day-to-day basis. We also have a few handy tips on how to save energy - helping you and your family to create good habits to reduce the bills in your home.
Here are a few tips to help you along the way:
A
well-insulated home will reduce heat loss and conserve energy, resulting in
lower fuel usage and reduced fuel bills. We’ve put together a couple of other
energy-saving tips that can help reduce your energy bills:
Keep in mind that not heating your home correctly or sufficiently may lead to issues relating to damp and the formation of mould –see our page relating to damp and mould and what can be done to help.
Reducing Home Heat Loss
Useful Energy-Saving Links
As well as speaking to your energy supplier directly, you can also click on any of the links below for further energy-saving advice and tips:
https://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/consumers/save-money/energy
https://www.consumercouncil.org.uk/consumers/save-money/energy/energy-efficiency
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/northern-ireland/information-advice/money-matters/energy-efficiency/
More homes across Northern Ireland are expected to receive their Government supported £600 energy voucher from Monday 16th January 2023. Customers should receive the single payment or voucher by 28th February.
Here’s what you need to know:
Keypad meter and Standard credit customers will receive a £600 voucher in the post from the Post Office. Vouchers need to be redeemed* at a Post Office branch. The voucher and supporting paperwork will be needed.
Direct Debit customers will receive a £600 payment directly to their bank account. No action is needed. Suppliers generally have all the information they need to get this payment to you. All customers should receive the single payment or voucher by 28th February. If electricity suppliers need to contact you they will do so directly.
WARNING - BEWARE OF SCAMS
Radius are urging you to be vigilant and be aware of scams associated with the scheme. Communications from any source suggesting you need to provide personal information, phone a number, or follow a link are likely to be scams. Please exercise caution. Do not click on suspicious links, emails or SMS messages.
You can report messaging you think is suspicious at report@phishing.gov.uk
All information about the scheme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/getting-household-energy-bill-support-in-northern-ireland
* Redeeming - What do I need to bring with me to the Post Office?
• The voucher
• Proof of address e.g. bill
• Photographic ID if you want it as cash eg passport
• Bank card if you put it into bank account
• Top up card if keypad customer
Apart from speaking to your Welfare Advice Officer, who may be able to help look at your benefits and see if there is anything that you may be missing out on, speak directly to your specific energy provider. There are also other organisations that can offer support and advice, including:
NI Direct - www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/cost-living
Citizens Advice - www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/get-help-...
The Consumer Council - www.consumercouncil.org.uk
The Trussell Trust - www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/