Boiler grant NEST in Wales

dulededulede

Hi, 

We have a very inefficient baxi back boiler which is 30 years plus old. If anything at all goes with it there is no way of getting parts. I am on non means tested or taxed PIP both enhanced rates of daily living and mobility. I also get ESA Contribution Based so that is not the means tested version of the benefit but it is taxed. We get Universal credit due to our income so that is a means tested benefit My wife does a small number of hours per week at minimum wage rate £9.50 per hour. She is my carer and gets carer's allowance. 

I have been looking at the eligibility for NEST in Wales which is a free boiler scheme. I am well within the scheme's eligibiliy for the type of house, fuel poverty and my health needs. But it then asks under a section entitled 'Health Eligibility Income Thresholds' if our income is below certain levels. I am until I add on PIP for which I get both enhanced rates for mobility and daily living and that makes up a third of our household income. We're on £1270 a month without it and £1880 with it - no dependents but my wife can't bring in any additional income due to the state I'm in. I've come across things which definitely state PIP is not counted as taxable income towards some things. But does this extend to these boiler grant schemes. If I leave it off nobody is likely to find out about it but I'd be lying. PIP is there specifically for extra costs incurred because I am ill. The scheme I'm looking at looks at income after mortgage which we no longer have so can't state any of our income goes to mortgage but our gas and electric bills without the current cap was looking at increasing our costs to between £6 and £7,000. We need a way of gas costing less and radiators etc using it more efficiently.

But if I don't state it I would know that I am lying, a detrimental impact on my mental health, even if there was no risk for my calculations being seen as a lie. I don't want to lie but cannot afford to miss out on something that because I am ill could be such a help.

Only one problem with our current boiler and I would have no heating or hot water and the boiler cannot be fixed. We have been warned that this is the case.

Can anyone advise but only if you know that PIP is either to be included or not. Please do not guess as this sort of answer could make my mental health worse, for tonight at least. Thank you all. 

NedS

My understanding is that because you are in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit (UC), you qualify:

https://nest.gov.wales/eligibility/

• You own or privately rent your home (not from a local authority or housing association)
• Your home is energy inefficient and expensive to heat
• You or someone you live with receives a means tested benefit OR has a chronic respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition and an income below the defined thresholds

I'm pretty sure the Health Eligibility Thresholds you refer to, only apply to people who are claiming under a Health Eligibility Criteria and do NOT qualify by way of a means-tested benefit, hence the household income tests.

dulededulede

Hi NedS

I read it the same way, second time around I might add, but it does seem as if these are secondary considerations where someone may not directly be eligible on the primary needs you have enclosed above, and for the additional Health criteria to make a difference to those people who still need the help.

It would be a lot easier though if someone putting any of these free boiler grant sites together could simply put 'Income includes ESA, JSA, Income Support etc. but does not count PIP/DLA or similar as part of your household income'. Without PIP included I'm hundreds below the threshold but with it just over. Perhaps I'm the only one who has ever 'wondered' but surely it is an important factor and should be clearer to allay peoples' doubts over eligibility. I won't apply to things unless I'm quite convinced. Do not like speaking to anyone but family on the telephone at all. 

Thank you very much for the reply. 

NedS

I agree, it's often not clear what counts as income when applying for various grants / support. Is it earned income, gross or net, does it include unearned income (benefits) etc.

Still, in this case if you are in receipt of a means-tested benefit, I think you are eligible on those grounds and it hopefully is not a concern for you. Good luck on the application - we very gratefully had our ageing oil-fired boiler and oil tank replaced under the scheme around 5 years ago and they did a great job.