Windows and doors grants for pensioners

adobbing

Looking for options for new double glazed windows and doors for my Mother.
She is a pensioner who lives alone in her home, which she owns.
She receives both elements of Pension Credit.
The wooden windows and doors were fitted about 35 years ago and although originally double glazed units, the windows are draughty and need replacing, as do the doors which are only single glazed.

We have looked at eco 4 grants, which we were told could be available.
To do this we got an EPC survey, which because the windows were double glazed came back as a C rating.
I believe that for the eco 4 grants, it needs to be D or lower.

Does anybody know of any other grants or schemes that might be of help, please?

Brie

I don't know of any grants to provide the actual doors and windows but if mom is on pension credits she could potentially get a new door installed by your local council if they have a HandyVan programme.  This service will do any DIY work around the home for someone on pension credit with the exception of electrics and plumbing. And the individual has to provide the materials.  And the work takes less than 2 hours.  So you buy the door and they come out and fit it in place.  Might be a good alternative.  She could get someone to come out to change her lightbulbs, hang some curtains (or whatever) and have a quick look at the door to see if it's a possible.  

Also might be helpful to check with Age UK as they will likely know about any such programmes for the elderly.  

Keep_pedalling

It sounds like your mother is asset rich but cash poor, which means her home is likely to suffer from neglect due to the inability to pay for on going maintenance . Time perhaps to consider downsizing or equity release. 

I hope that does not come across as harsh, but I have seen this happen to several people including my previous next door neighbour who instead of moving to a nice comfortable small modern home is living the very run down home that he grew up in but can’t afford the upkeep.

FreeBear

Brie said:

I don't know of any grants to provide the actual doors and windows but if mom is on pension credits she could potentially get a new door installed by your local council if they have a HandyVan programme.

A replacement door would only work if it is timber. uPVC and composite doors (usually) come with a frame, and replacing the whole lot requires building regulation sign-off. This is where FENSA and CERTASS registered installers come in to their own and save on the hassle of getting Building Control involved. But this comes at a price.

Unfortunately, if the ECO4 route has been exhausted, I'm afraid replacement doors & windows will need to self funded - It may be possible that the council can offer some home improvement loans, so that might be one avenue to explore. Just don't fall for the sales pitch that I had one outfit try on me. EcoFrames claimed that I could get a "grant" that reduced the cost of uPVC windows from £14K down to just £7K (complete BS). A local independent installer quoted £5K with no BS or fake grants. The likes of Anglian have what they call a "scrappage" scheme, again, more sales BS, so don't fall for it. The other pitch that some of these companies use, is to tell you that their frames are A+++ and will save you money on heating. Whilst a grain of truth, it is the glass that is responsible for 90% of the energy savings, but only if installed properly.

oh, and depending on the age of the property, lintels may need installing to support the outer leaf of brickwork.