It is worth being prepared during winter months, especially if severe weather, storms, ice or snow is forecasted.
Read our top tips about how you can prepare for adverse weather conditions and stay safe throughout any cold snaps or longer periods of severe weather. There are also links to some useful information and contact details for other organisations to help keep you warm and well throughout winter.
Our Jigsaw Energy Advice Service is always on hand to help you keep warm for less in Winter. If you need further help with managing your finances, then please get in touch with our Money Wise team.
1. Contact your energy supplier to see if you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme
2. Check your eligibility for a Winter Fuel Payment. If you were born on or before 5 April 1955, you could receive help you pay your heating bills. Call 0800 731 0160 or textphone 0800 731 0176.
3. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and if bad weather is on its way, stock up on essential medication and non-perishable food.
4. Take extra care if the ground is slippy. Wear shoes with a good grip and consider keeping a salt and sand mixture handy to grit paths. Ask your neighbours for help clearing paths or driveways – most people are happy to help.
5. Have a torch and make sure you check the batteries.
6. Keep emergency numbers handy. Having your energy supplier’s number to hand can be really helpful if a power cut occurs. You can register with your supplier so they call you in the event of a power cut.
7. For electric failures and heating breakdowns, please call 0300 111 1133 (Jigsaw North) or 0300 011 1144 (Jigsaw Tameside and Jigsaw Midlands)
8. To fix a frozen condensate pipe, please view the information under our useful links.
9. To keep your home free from condensation and mould, please view the information under our useful links.
Jigsaw Group’s Energy Advice Service can offer free advice about how to heat your home more efficiently and affordably. The team can offer you:
- General energy saving tips to reduce your bills
- Advice and guidance on setting your heating controls and times
- Support with switching your energy supplier and comparing energy tariffs
- Tips on reducing mould and condensation
- Referrals to LEAP the free energy and money saving service
- And much more.
To arrange a home visit, get in touch by calling 0300 011 1144 or emailing our Neighbourhood Engagement team.
If you can’t find the information you’re looking for or need further assistance, contact our Money Advice team or email: GroupMoneyAdvice@jigsawhomes.org.uk.
Our experienced money advice team can help you with:
- Benefits advice and applications
- Maximising your income
- Debt advice and solutions
What can you expect from the Money Advice team?
- A free and impartial service.
- Support to ensure you’re receiving your correct benefit entitlements
- Help to fill in claim forms
- Assistance in dealing with letters about benefits
- Help manage your debts
- Negotiating reduced payments with your creditors
- Ongoing advice and support
Visit www.jigsawhomes.org.uk/money-advice for more information and advice.
Fixing a Frozen Condensate Pipe
Keeping your home free from condensation and mould
NHS Top tips to keeping warm and well
Government’s Keep Warm Keep Well booklet
The Silver Line can offer free and confidential help with information, friendship and advice for older people. Call them 24/7 on 0800 4 70 80 90.
Age UK can offer free information or contact details for your local Age UK branch. Call Age UK on 0800 169 6565 (8am-7pm, seven days a week).
Warm Welcome helps and supports those in need during the winter months. They offer services such as warm meals, shelter, and community activities.
