Stratford-on-Avon District Council has introduced the Stratford Energy Support Fund, in response to the continued pressures faced from the rise in cost of living and the energy price cap increase. The funding is available to support vulnerable households with financial support for those who are struggling to pay their energy bills living in the District. The scheme can support payments for gas, electricity, oil and LPG.

The Stratford Energy Support Fund, administered by Act on Energy, provides a one-off grant to help eligible residents with their energy costs. The payment is made directly to the energy supplier or issued as a pre-payment voucher for households using a card or key meter. Eligible families can receive up to £500, while single residents and couples can receive up to £300.

To be eligible households must meet the income and vulnerability criteria.

Income criteria:

• Gross household income of up to £31,000 (not including PIP or DLA)
• No household savings
• A vulnerability from the list shown in the next section

Applicants must also confirm that someone in the home is vulnerable. This is quite a broad measure so please contact Act on Energy if you are unsure.

Vulnerabilities typically include:

• Long term diagnosed and treated health conditions e.g. COPD
• Households with unmanageable debt
• Pregnant or have young children under the age of five
• Disabled and in receipt of DLA or PIP
• In receipt of related benefits related (not universal) free school meals
• Other vulnerabilities disclosed by households not on the list but accepted at Act on Energy's discretion 

The full eligibility criteria list is available on the Act on Energy website here: https://www.actonenergy.org.uk/support/sesf

Residents can also contact Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881

Councillor Liz Coles, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Revenues and Customer Services, said: "This council is taking action now to reduce energy costs for vulnerable residents facing increasing pressure from cost of living rises. This energy grant scheme will play an important part of giving our community support where it is needed."

Further funding schemes are available on the Act on Energy website: https://www.actonenergy.org.uk/area/warwickshire