Warmfront, EAGA, Community Legal Advice: Please Explain the Con

PasturesNew

I have been handed a letter by my elderly parents and they want to know "is it a con?" and looking at it, I think so .... but what con? I need to know what the 'deal' is so I can explain it to them.

It's a single letter on A4 paper. Single sided.

Top left is the Warmfront logo and a green logo saying Community Legal Advice. On top right is an Eaga logo.

Right hand side is big writing: We're here to make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to.

On the left the letter says:

Each year millions of pounds worth of benefits are not claimed. We believe that everyone should make sure that they are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to. The Benefit Entitlement Check team, are here to provide you with free and confidential advice about what you may be missing out on.

For your free and confidential check:
Call us free on 0800 072 9006 to find out more (lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday)

Take advantage of this free and confidential service, before March 27th 2011. It could increase your weekly income.

Now, there's nothing on the letter that indicates in any way that this has come from any reputable/caring organisation, or the DWP, so I'm guessing this is a bunch of slick-haired yoofs who'd turn up, fill in some form and then 'persuade' my parents that XYZ needs to be bought and they'd get some Govt grant money if only they spend a fortune on stuff they don't need.

So, can you explain what it is, where the con is, so I can explain it to them.

Thx.

PasturesNew

I've now googled that number and found this page:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/DG_191171

So it sounds like they'd want them to buy stuff for energy efficiency - except there's no money in the pot.
And they don't claim any benefits (stubborn, not rich), so wouldn't have got some paltry amount anyway.

Is that it? Would it have been a con to fit a new boiler, solar panels, etc etc?

Richard1075

Warm Front /EAGA are genuine - lot's of people have benefited from the scheme for insulation, central heating etc:

Part of their remit is to check that a person is getting any benefits that they may be entitled to.

So many people have applied to the scheme and have been successful in getting a grant that the money is exhausted as the fund is cash limited.

My local council had an independant scheme that assisted everybody in their area to get energy conservation assistance and things like cavity wall and other savings.

With the current governments objectives to reduce overspending and as a result cut the funding for so many services I very much doubt if there will be as much money or any for the next financial year.

Surely getting a benefit check and showing your parents what they may well be missing out on, is a good thing - it may well persuade them to accept help which they are entitled to.

Equally, nobody is forced to spend anymore mone than they can afford - you just say no!

nannytone_2

seems like theyre targeting people that might qualify. you'd moan a lot more if they were entitled and no one bothered passing the information on!
it isn't a con, and yes they do fit new boilers for free for people that qualify!
there is no money left for this year, but more funds will be available from april.
ive had cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, 2 new radiators and a system flush for free.

dmg24

I don't know a lot about Warmfront, but there is a thread on the Consumer Vents board (I think?) where people have had pretty bad experiences. My understanding is that there are grants available, but they often require a top up by the customer/ claimant. I think there are issues about aftersales service also.

In his spare time my Dad does plumbing work for friends/ friends of friends etc. He charges for the goods and a pretty small amount for labour, based on what he thinks they can afford (he doesn't ask, just guesses). He has done a fair few jobs for people that looked into Warmfront and decided against it. I don't know why they made that decision, but I would guess it is due to cost, trust, aftercare etc.

(I've made my Dad sound like Mother Teresa. There is a down side to this - if Mum needs something doing, he is always too busy!)

dmg24

Here you go ... mixed reviews.

Warm Front

nannytone_2

i have nothing but praise for the workmen who carried out the work to a good standard.
the only downside is the amount of time you have to wait (6 months plus) but, when something is free you cant expect next day delivery!

work upto a value of £3500 is carried ourt, and anything over that amount has to be paid by the customer.
i also found out that the work i have had done is counted against the property and not the eligable person.
so say £1000 worth of work was done on the property i live in, there is a balance of £2500 left for this property.
if i move to a house that has had no warm front grant, then my entitlement would be £3500 again.
hope that makes sense!

PasturesNew

The thing is, my parents wouldn't want anything doing to the house. They don't want strangers coming round. They don't claim benefits (dad gets a pension from his job) which seems to be enough. They don't want anything doing to the house. They have a boiler that works, house isn't draughty, their double glazing's probably 20-30 years old, but adequate.... and, to be frank, I doubt they'll be here more than another 2-3 years before they have to be carted off somewhere

They're ga-ga, but happy... and of the generation that don't want "people snooping around."

Also, dad gets distressed (ASD) and it ends in huge family rows, ongoing for weeks, if we took anything forward and anybody did come round. Not worth living in hell for a check up for something they'd not want.

dmg24

I'd ring them and ask that they do not contact your parents again.

On a positive, it is good that they have asked you. There are plenty of genuine scams (contradiction in terms!) that older people are taken in by because they are unsure but have no one to ask.

PasturesNew

dmg24 wrote: »

I'd ring them and ask that they do not contact your parents again.

On a positive, it is good that they have asked you. There are plenty of genuine scams (contradiction in terms!) that older people are taken in by because they are unsure but have no one to ask.

Yes. I've trained my mum so that she knows that "You've won ... phone this number" results in a £9 phone call too. She gets one of those a month, by the time the 3rd one comes round though she was starting to think maybe I was wrong, so I had to point it out to her again (in the small print) and rip it up and chuck it in the bin in front of her.

I wish I could stop them .... and the amount of furreners phoning about this, that and the other seems never-ending too!!

nannytone_2

you can stop them. register their telephone number/address with the relevant bodies. google telephone preference and mail preference. if they continue to send letters/make calls after 28 days they are committing a criminal offence.
i did it to stop all the telesales calls and it works!
i had a few calls but when i pointed out that i was registered, they apologise and never called back.