Did You Know? (or how to find out ! )
All the matters listed below are on subjects about which further, more details information, is available simply by following the link supplied.
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- The Change to Digital Broadcasting. All TV broadcasts will over the next few years be converted to digital and at the same time the current analogue broadcasts will be 'turned off'. The programme for the changeover will be run out over a three year timescale. There will be some help for those who are in receipt of certain benefits and therefore it would be wise now to seek out further information. http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/
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Energy saving grants and offers. The UK Government funds schemes providing up to £2,700 to households on certain benefits (see below for examples of eligibility criteria) to improve their heating and energy efficiency. In England the scheme is known as Warm Front, in Northern Ireland it is Warm Homes, in Scotland it is Warm Deal and the Central Heating Programme and in Wales it is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. The eligibility criteria for the schemes differ between countries - with some schemes you need to be in receipt of certain benefits, whilst others are available to anyone over a certain age. Full details can be found on the websites listed below.
Examples of Warmfront eligibility criteria - If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord and if:
- You are 60 years or older and are in receipt of one or more benefits. Benefits include: income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit, job seekers allowance and pension credit.
or - You have a child under 16 or you are pregnant and have been given maternity MAT B1 and are also in receipt of benefits such as income support, council tax benefit etc.
or - You are in receipt of one or more benefits such as disability living allowance, child tax credit with an income of less than £15,460, housing benefit and disability premium etc.
Then you could be entitled to a warm front grant. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/
- You are 60 years or older and are in receipt of one or more benefits. Benefits include: income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit, job seekers allowance and pension credit.
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Concessionary Travel. From 1 April 2008, a new ‘Free in England Travel Concession’ scheme starts and passes will be valid throughout England between 9.30am and 11pm weekdays and all day at weekends and bank holidays.This is still a bit muddled and you may have read about problems in local newspapers, however find out more now.
Colchester Residents: FOR MORE INFORMATION, telephone 01206 282329 or visit the website www.colchester.gov.uk/buspass
Tendring Residents: Free bus travel is available to people aged 60 years and over, and also certain disabled people. There are already over 26,500 people in the existing travel concession scheme. Tendring District Council regulates that those eligible are permitted to travel free of charge on all buses throughout England - from 9.30am on weekdays and all day at weekends and Bank Holidays. If you are a Tendring resident and are eligible to join the scheme, you can register by completing an application form and providing one passport style photograph. For help contact cashiers@tendringdc.gov.uk or call in to one of the Council's collection offices, or write to Cashier's Services, 88 - 90 Pier Avenue, Clacton On Sea, Essex. CO15 1TN
