This is a Public Health contract managed by Care and Repair Leeds, in partnership with Green Doctors and Age UK Leeds.
The Home Plus Leeds contract added a fuel poverty element in winter 2022 in direct response to the cost-of-living crisis. The offer includes a home assessment which looks to improve heating retention and decrease mould. Recipients could be offered radiator panels, draught excluders, electric heated throws and in some circumstances, a new boiler. Essentially interventions that would help keep the house warm in a sustainable manner. These are discussed with the members of the household and are at the discretion of the home assessment officer. To be eligible, recipients need to:
- Earn less than £30K, per household and have less than £16K in savings
- Pay council tax to Leeds City Council
Until 31 March 2024, this contract has been enhanced by a Heating on Prescription element– so that if someone is also eligible for the NHS free flu vaccination due to a health condition, pregnancy, or age they will also be offered 2 free fuel vouchers. They are using the free flu vaccination eligibility criteria as a guideline for health professionals whilst also narrowing the target population to children under the age of 5, as opposed to primary school aged children, as children under the age of 5 are more likely to suffer adversely to cold home living. This is evidence based and contained with the UKHSA Adverse Weather and Health Plan 2023.
If you have any queries in relation to this please contact: Jess Dewhurst [email protected]