Care Hub

LEAP offers free Home Energy Visits to people who are vulnerable to living in a cold home.
Our aim is to empower members of the community to take action on reducing their own energy bills by providing information and support on how to be energy efficient.

Our vision is to reduce levels of fuel poverty in the Cheshire and Mersey

Home Visits:

One of our friendly expert energy advisors visit residents in their home, provide a home assessment and deliver immediate support.

This includes:


Installing simple measures such as radiator panels, LED light bulbs, draughtproofing for doors, windows and letterboxes, cylinder jackets, chimney balloons and TV standby savers
Providing energy efficiency advice and training on the use of heating controls
Organising the installation of a new heating controller where required
Identifying the need for larger energy efficiency measures and seeking funding
Support with switching energy supplier
Checking whether the resident wants income maximisation advice and referring to the appropriate agency
Identifying other hazards and vulnerabilities in the home and making the referral onto the appropriate agency.


 

Eligibility Criteria

The scheme is open to all types of householders – homeowners, private renters and social housing tenants. They only need to qualify on one of the categories below in order to be eligible for the scheme. 

 

Income Criteria – anyone with one or more of the following: 


Income Support
Income-related Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit with an income below £16,190
Universal Credit with an income below £16,190
Income below £16,190


 

Physical Health Criteria – anyone with one or more of the following: 


Cardiovascular condition (incl. coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, transient ischemic attack)
Respiratory condition (COPD, childhood asthma)



Neurological condition (incl dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy)
Musculoskeletal conditions (incl. osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis etc)
Blood conditions (incl. Sickle cell disease, thalassemia)
Cancer
Physical or sensory disability
Other illness exacerbated by cold (confirmed by GP)


 

Mental Health Criteria, such as:


Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Serious depression (receiving regular treatment)


 

Vulnerability Criteria – anyone with one or more of the following: 


Carers in receipt of carers allowance
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Reduction 
Disability benefit e.g. Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Contribution-based ESA or JSA
Vulnerable family situation such as victim of domestic violence or recent bereavement
Household with maternity/ child under 5 or particularly large family.


 

Making a Referral to LEAP

You can refer a householder to LEAP using the Energy Projects Plus referral form, which can be emailed to advice@epplus.org

Alternatively, you can call the Save Energy Advice Line on 0800 043 0151.