Glasgow residents aged 80 and over are being urged to apply for their annual £100 Affordable Warmth Dividend.
For a third year, Glasgow City Council is offering older city residents money to help heat their homes during the winter.
Since the council introduced the dividend in November 2011, a total of 30,000 payments have been awarded to help older Glaswegians stay warm as temperatures plummet.
Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Sustainable Glasgow, met May Dryden, aged 85, of Cowcaddens who receives the dividend.
The great grandmother said: “I think this is a fabulous initiative which will make a terrific difference to a lot of people. It is a wonderful thing for the council to do and very important. I would encourage other people to apply for it.”
Councillor Matheson said: “Older people are particularly vulnerable during cold weather and many worry about how they will pay their heating bills as energy prices continue to rise.
“I’m delighted that for the third year running, the city council can help residents over the age of 80 keep warm during the winter.
“So far, we’ve been relatively lucky with the weather this year, but two years ago we had the coldest winter on record. I’d ask everyone to be prepared. If you think you might be eligible for the Affordable Warmth Dividend please apply to the council.”
Those who received it last year will be sent a letter from Cllr Matheson advising them the dividend is available again. In addition, anyone the council can identify as eligible from our records will also receive a letter urging them to apply. People can receive payment by cheque or directly into their bank.
Glasgow residents aged 80 plus who have not received the dividend before can obtain an application form from the council’s website (link below) or by phoning 0141 287 7961.
Dividend payments are not restricted to one per household. If more than one person aged 80 or older lives in a house they can apply separately. Elderly people living in residential care or hospitals can also apply. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2014.
People who take up the £100 dividend can also receive impartial energy tips from Glasgow Home Energy Advice Team (G-HEAT) on 0800 0929002.
The council has pledged that income generated from its sustainability projects will contribute to Warm Glasgow, the long-term initiative to make affordable warmth a reality for all in the city.
Further information on the Affordable Warmth Dividend is available athttp://www.glasgow.gov.uk/affordablewarmth