Central Heating Installation Grants for Elderly?

SpaceTime

I'm just wondering if there's any assistance available for elderly people who don't have any form of central heating?

I'm trying to get something sorted out for a lady in her late 70s. She's living alone, very limited income from state pension, very serious long term illness and she has absolutely no form of central heating.

It's a small 2 bed, 2 story house that hasn't been upgraded very much other than new wiring in the 1980s.

She's heating using a couple of plug in radiators, there's no hot water other than an electric shower and other than that she just uses an electric blanket.

Situation is not exactly adequate or very good value.

All the grants seem to be for upgrades to existing heating systems not new installation.

She's in a major urban area so gas is available very easily.

Kelly06

SpaceTime wrote: »

I'm just wondering if there's any assistance available for elderly people who don't have any form of central heating?

I'm trying to get something sorted out for a lady in her late 70s. She's living alone, very limited income from state pension, very serious long term illness and she has absolutely no form of central heating.

It's a small 2 bed, 2 story house that hasn't been upgraded very much other than new wiring in the 1980s.

She's heating using a couple of plug in radiators, there's no hot water other than an electric shower and other than that she just uses an electric blanket.

Situation is not exactly adequate or very good value.

All the grants seem to be for upgrades to existing heating systems not new installation.

She's in a major urban area so gas is available very easily.

It doesn't seem like there's a grant for the installation of a heating system. There are other energy upgrades available to people in receipt of fuel allowance.

http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Warmer_Homes_Scheme/About_the_BEWH.html

These installations are completely free. What about contacting them and outlining the situation. No elderly person should be living like this. Ring the seai and see if they are aware of any schemes. Getting proper insulation in the house for free can't hurt anyway if the person qualifies

SpaceTime

Seems there might be one via the local council too.
I'll have to do some running around as it's a fairly ridiculous situation.

antoinolachtnai

Does she own this property? If she does, she should be able to get a loan from the credit union (for EUR 5000 say) and pay it back over 5 years (about 25 euros a week).

It is not uncommon for pensioners, even those on state incomes, to have some sort of savings built up. It doesn't sound like she gets much opportunity to spend her full pension.

She can also get a break on the VAT, so this will amount to a 1000 euros discount. She can also get some sort of grant for the boiler and controls (the upgrade grant you talked about), which should give her 500 or 600 more.

If she is using solid fuel or electricity, she will make some savings quite quickly.

She will need a lot of help from you with getting quotes from contractors, etc.

Decoda

SpaceTime wrote: »

I'm just wondering if there's any assistance available for elderly people who don't have any form of central heating?

I'm trying to get something sorted out for a lady in her late 70s. She's living alone, very limited income from state pension, very serious long term illness and she has absolutely no form of central heating.

It's a small 2 bed, 2 story house that hasn't been upgraded very much other than new wiring in the 1980s.

She's heating using a couple of plug in radiators, there's no hot water other than an electric shower and other than that she just uses an electric blanket.

Situation is not exactly adequate or very good value.

All the grants seem to be for upgrades to existing heating systems not new installation.

She's in a major urban area so gas is available very easily.

Hi,

You don't say what part of the country you are located but regardless, your first port of call should be your local authority's housing department. Make enquiries as to their grant facilities for the elderly. I have attached a link as an example to Clare Co. Co. Website. I know that my own local authority's grant scheme was stalled for a while but I think that they have restarted taking new applications. Plead your case and hopefully this situation can be improved. Also as stated above there are a raft of grants available for the upgrading of insulation etc using the Better Energy Warmer Homes initiative.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/housing_grants_and_schemes/warmer_homes_scheme.html


Good luck

DC

http://www.clarecoco.ie/housing/housing-grants/housing-aid-for-older-people-

Housing Aid for Older People Scheme
The Scheme of Housing Aid for Older People is available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. The effective maximum grant under the scheme of Housing Aid for Older People is €10,500 which may cover up to 100% of the cost of works.

Is it means tested?
Who can apply?
What type of work is covered?
Tax requirements

Is it means tested?
Yes. Applicants will be prioritised on the basis of household means. The maximum grant of €10,500 is available to applicants with gross household incomes of up to €30,000 per annum tapering to 30% for applicants with gross household incomes of between €54,001 to €65,000.

Who can apply?
Older people, generally aged over 60 years, who require necessary repairs or improvements to their homes.

What type of work is covered?
The types of works allowable under the scheme can be varied and include structural repairs or improvements; re-wiring; drylining; repairs to/replacement of window and doors; provision of central heating; water and sanitary services; contract-cleaning; painting and radon remediation works.

Tax requirements
In the case of contractors, the contractor’s name, address, tax reference number and tax district and the number and expiry date of a certificate of authorisation issued to the contractor by the Revenue Commissioners must be submitted.

In the case of grant applications totaling €10,000 or more, the applicant must confirm that he/she holds a valid tax clearance certificate.