Support to ensure vulnerable residents have warm homes this winter: Find out if you're eligible

Support is available to help ensure some of the Borough's most vulnerable residents stay warm through the winter months.

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's award-winning Warm Homes Healthy People scheme offers emergency heating, energy saving advice, welfare benefits advice and boiler repairs.

You may be eligible for a repair if:

• you are the homeowner and claiming a means-tested benefit

And you are any of the following:

• 65 or over

• under 65 and in receipt of disability benefits

• under 65 and have a long term illness made worse by the cold or live with a child (under 5) who has a long term illness made worse by the cold

• living with dementia

Councillor Steve Nelson, the Council's Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: "With winter on the way it's important to keep warm and healthy during the cold weather to help keep illness away and prevent existing health conditions worsening.

"Cold temperatures can have a serious impact on your health and are linked to a number of health conditions including respiratory disease, strokes, falls and flu.

"Our Warm Homes Healthy People scheme runs from October to March each year and last year we helped hundreds of residents stay warm with a range of support, including carrying out 85 boiler repairs and 70 proactive boiler services.

"It's easy to apply with a simple online form on our website or by calling the Warm Homes Healthy People team. If you are struggling to keep your home warm get in touch and see if we can help."

Some repairs may incur a charge or be considered ineligible based on the age and condition of your boiler.

In May this year the Council won the Regional Vulnerable Customer Support Organisation of the Year Award at the North East Energy Efficiency Awards for the Warm Homes Healthy People scheme. The award recognises organisations that have shown a true commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable people through energy efficiency in their region.

For further information, please call the Warm Homes Healthy People team on 01642 528215 or visit the Warm Homes Healthy People web page to apply online.