Pensioners to lose £3,500 over boiler scrappage scheme

Low income families and pensioners that are currently receiving benefits from the UK government can now apply for aid under the Warm Front scheme in purchasing and installing a new boiler for their homes.

However, if households choose to apply instead for the scrappage scheme, their right to claim the £3,500 funding from Warm Front is automatically forfeited.

Help the Aged expert Mervyn Kohler said that if a pensioner is currently receiving benefits, they are likely to be qualified for Warm Front – which can support pay for loft insulation, draught-proofing and maintenance to the existing boiler, as well as a new heating system. Kohler further added that if a person is not claiming for benefits, applying for the boiler scrappage scheme is the best option.

The scrappage scheme is just open to 125,000 applicants with a functional G-rated boiler installed. However, applicants over 60 years old can avail of the scheme regardless of the boiler condition. The £400 scrappage coupons will be sent out to homes starting by 18 January.

The UK government aims to cut carbon emissions through the scheme. The boilers to be installed under the scheme do not use fossil fuels and are rated 90 per cent efficient – resulting in lesser fuel consumption, greenhouse emissions and energy costs.

Earlier in December, electricity provider npower had already started its own scrappage scheme. The company’s scheme was open to all, and offered a further £400 bonus on top of the government’s £400 offer if the boiler was bought and installed by npower.