Free Cavity Wall & Loft Insulation

NOWSE

British Gas are offering free Cavity Wall & Loft insulation to people over 70 and those receiving certain benefits. You don't even have to be one of their customers.

I have been unable to find a clear explanation of the scheme on the British Gas website. However this SAGA article gives details of the scheme together with a British Gas telephone number for enquiries (08456052535).

http://www.saga.co.uk/money/gettingthebestdeal/energy-giveaway-for-over-70s.asp

The_Old_Bag

Thanks for flagging this up again, I have passed the onfo on to everyone I can - inc the free phone number, so hopefully some are making use of this.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=683145

I am having the surveyor come to check me out soon, so hopefully I will be fully insulated by the time the floods hit

mademoiselle_2

The free loft insulation and cavity wall insulation (along with the £2700 contribution towards installing central heating) are all subsidies gained from the Warm Front campaign. So, being picky, it's not technically 'free'...it's a redistribution of taxpayers' money.

Free to anyone on benefits...not free to anyone who works for a living!

As I discovered last year, when, having moved into a house with clapped out central heating, I enquired, hopefully, about subsidies...only to be smartly told that I didn't qualify for any. If you can work, you can pay...and pay I did, I paid to have the whole lot replaced. And paid for loft insulation (there was a small contribution towards that). I have spent the following months living like a hermit! (hence perusal of MSE pages - I have had to make so many economies!) - so that I could pay off the several thousands of pounds I have incurred in making my home warm and cosy.

I am proud to say I have done it! Last payment goes out next month,then everything is paid off.

However.... I have ALSO had to watch, Mrs-on-benefits-next door, have HER loft insulation done, and have HER nice new boiler installed, without her having to pay a penny. Nice for her...not so nice for me! In essence, I've got up and gone to work to pay for both our bills.

There's a lesson in there somewhere...but I'm too tired from working, to figure it out. I hope it doesn't involve the word 'mug'...

Kazzajr

Some people who work for a living are entitled to this, if they earn under £15k pa and receive working tax credits. Don't see the need to turn this into a rant at people on benefits.

And technically it is free to those who qualify.

The_Old_Bag

Thanks Kazzajr.
I work for a living, and always have.
I pay taxes, NI, and pay towards my own superannuation.
Until recently I was never entitled to anything, and had to pay out of my taxed income for everything - inc child care ( in the days before tax credits and nursery vouchers etc)
Now I find I am entitled to some help - and I still work and pay taxes etc as I always have.
As I see it, I pay for someone to benefit, so when the time comes for it to be me.....or you, why shouldn't you claim what your entitled to. I cannot see Brown giving me a tax refund just because all the financial help available is not claimed.

I posted originally as the Express advert stated:-
"INSULATE FOR 2008
- TOTALLY FREE"
"Amazing British Gas giveaway for the Over 70's"

The over 70's can get this work done FREE without any means testing/benefit qualification. I thought most of us might know someone who could possibly benefit.....therefore to pass the information on to them.
Unfortunately this sort of help often is not automatically offered to those who need it or are entitled to it, but you have to apply. To apply, you have to know it exists, and how to go about applying.
I am sorry everyone is not entitled to this free, but that shouldn't stop those who are able, from getting this done.
Mademoiselle, I completely sympathise - been there, done that, got the t-shirt. I paid for all the maintenance work on my house, including the original insulation. I am just getting the survey done to see if it is up to current recommended standards. If I can get a free 'top up', then I shall. If not, hopefully by the time I'm 70 there will be enough money left for me to get it done then;) - and I will probably still be working and paying taxes :rolleyes: and my pension will be worth less than nothing :cool:

p.s I only read about this scheme as I was flicking thru the Express looking for MOCs - I had only bought the paper ( cannot afford to buy papers unless it is worth my while in coupons/vouchers) thanks to the Newspaper thread, and all the lovely peeps who post on there :T .

livelyred

Ive just had my loft instalated and the windows and doors were all fitted with draft proof products what a differance its really made .Can take up to 3 mths thou before all the work is completed.