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Provided by Mae Stewart, Editor UNISON Retired members Newsletter,
Dundee, Perth and Angus. Please note that this is not definitive
information about benefits but will provide a signpost as to where
to get up to date information. Please check the sources first.
UNISON Scotland can take no responsibility for information that
may be outdated or inaccurate.
Issue 22 October/November 2008
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Members Information
The information listed below was provided by
Age Concern Scotland. It may be useful to keep this to hand for
any help or assistance you may need in the future. My apologies
to Age Concern for any misquote.
Age Concern Scotland Advocacy represents
older people and supports them in speaking up for themselves.
We work to ensure that older people's views are respected and
considered in the decisions which affect their lives. Age Concern
Scotland Advocacy offers one-to-one support to older people.
We take time to listen to the views and concerns of the older
person and encourage them to speak up for themselves.
We support older people in meetings and assist them to share
their views with staff, agencies and individuals.
Age Concern Scotland Advocacy works
to:
- enhance communication between the older person and the
service provider
- take time with the older person, giving them the opportunity
to express and follow through their opinion
- reduce the older person's anxiety throughout the decision-making
process
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Home Safety in Winter
Smoke and Gas:
Buy a smoke detector and a
carbon monoxide alarm. Neither of these are expensive and you
may even get them free if you join your energy supplier's Priority
Services Register. They are also included in the Scottish Government's
Central Heating Programme.
If you are on your energy
supplier's Priority Services Register, ask for a free gas safety
check.
Cutting down on draughts is
a good idea, but do not plug up air vents in a room. This might
cause carbon monoxide to build up which is dangerous.
If you smell gas - phone National
Grid on: 0800 111 999.
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Step One - Contacts
Call the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre - 0800
512 012
For the Scottish Government's Central Heating programme
call - 0800 316 1653
and for the Warm Deal grant call - 0800 316 6009
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ENERGY SUPPLIERS [Step Two]:
Phone your energy supplier and ask to be put on
the PRIORITY SERVICES REGISTER. If you are dissatisfied
with the response or would prefer independent advice - Call:
Energy watch - 0845 688 9594
typetalk - 18001 08459 060708
Your energy supplier is required to have a PRIORITY
SERVICES REGISTER for older people - ask about free gas safety
checks, cold alarms, a password protection scheme and more useful
services. Your energy supplier may also have some type of social
tariff' offering discounted bills or discounted products such
as energy efficient light bulbs or insulation packages.
You should also receive extra assistance in the
event of a power cut.
If your bills are a problem, contact your energy
supplier as soon as possible as a payment scheme can be arranged.
Alternatively, phone the independent consumer body, Energy watch,
for advice and assistance on how to deal with your energy bills.
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MAXIMISE YOUR INCOME [Step Three]
Call CITIZENS ADVICE DIRECT - 0844 848 9600 or
contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
Every year many older people fail to claim their
entitlements which could be worth several hundreds of pounds depending
on individual circumstances. Check your eligibility for Pension
Credit, Cold Weather Payments, Council Tax Benefits, for example,
by calling your local Citizens Advice Bureau for advice.
Maximising your income can help towards your
fuel costs in the winter months
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CUT THE COST OF YOUR FUEL [Step Four]
For free impartial advice and information from the
independent energy consumer watchdog call Energywatch - 0845
688 9594
typetalk 18001 08459 060708
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STAY HEALTHY AND KEEP SAFE [Step Five]
Phone Healthy Eating Helpline- 0845 278 8878
Phone NHS Helpline - 0800 22 44 88
Phone your GP to book your flu jab
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What to Do in Severe Winter Weather
Cold weather warnings are issued when the average
temperature in your area is recorded as 0 centigrade (freezing
point) or below over seven consecutive days.
Severe weather conditions can lead to widespread
disruption of communication and transport systems.
ACT NOW
1. Keep tuned to your local radio or television
station for updated weather forecasts.
2. Check your room temperature and maintain
a warm heat.
3. If you take regular medication, have you
checked that you have enough of any prescribed medication to last
you through the cold spell?
Keep a note of your GP surgery number and the
emergency call out number.
4. Make sure you have an emergency kit in
case of power failure. This should include a torch and batteries,
portable radio, emergency numbers and if you have a mobile phone
keep it close to you.
5. Keep your store-cupboard well stocked
with a supply of food and bottled water or canned drinks in case
you are unable to go out or food supplies cannot be delivered
to your home because of difficult road conditions.
6. In case of burst pipes, know where to
find your stop valve which controls your water supply and make
sure you know how to shut it off quickly in an emergency. If you
are unable to do this yourself, ask your neighbour, family or
friend to help.
7. Your local council will have a plan for
helping older people in severe weather. If you require urgent
assistance outwith normal office hours contact your local council
- keep their number handy.
Power Cuts: If there is a power cut contact the
relevant numbers below to ensure they know you have no power and
that you are an older person.
Signing up for your supplier's Priority Services
Register means you will get extra help in dealing with power cuts.
Electricity power cuts:
Central and Southern Scotland: Scottish Power
- 0845 27 27 999
North of Scotland: Scottish Hydro Electric -
0800 300 999
Gas supply cut/any gas emergency: National Grid
[formerly Transco] - 0800 111 999
In the event of water emergencies: Scottish Water
- 0845 601 8855
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Are You Missing Out?
Switch Supplier - If you have not recently or never
switched supplier, then you could be spending in the region of
£150 per year more than you need to.
We can provide you with the cheapest deals based
on your personal needs and make the switching process as easy
as possible.
Free Services:
Every energy supplier is obliged to provide free
services which includes a password Protection scheme, annual gas
safety check, quarterly meter readings and more. You may be entitled
to receive these free services if any of the following apply to
you:
Of pensionable age
Have a disability
Are hearing or visually impaired
Chronically sick
Energy Grants:
For more information about the Scottish Government's
Central Heating Programme and Warm Deal. Call your local council
for information about energy grants.
Call now and speak to a member of our Priority Consumer
Team on 0845 688 9594 to find out what you are missing out on.
Or alternatively visit theirr website on
www.energywatch.org.uk/areyoumissingout
or email: priority.consumers@energywatch.org.uk
or write to, Freepost, RLYB HJHH THKS, energywatch,
Percy House, Percy Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4PW.
Energywatch statement: "energywatch
is the independent gas and electricity consumer watchdog. Our
aim is to provide you with free and independent information that
will help you to reduce your bills and keep warm and save energy.
If you, a family member or friend, could benefit from finding
out about energy grants, reducing energy bills and free services
please contact us now".
Mae Stewart [Apologies to Age Concern for any
misquote]
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Retired Members
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