A coal mining charity has launched a scheme to offer £200 grant to former miners to help them cope with the rise of fuel costs in 2022. The Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) is a UK-wide charity providing free support to former coal miners and their families. They are offering the grant to provide support with the huge energy price cap that came into place in April this year.
The scheme is available to former coal miners, or their partners, or widows, who are viewed as vulnerable due to being on low income, live in their own home and responsible for paying their energy bills.
It’s a one-off grant available, one per household. It’s only available to those who have ten years of service in the coal miners industry or those who last place was work was in the industry. As former miners often suffer from health issues, poor mobility - they may be heavily impacted by the changes in energy costs.
Nicola Didlock, Chief Executive at CISWO, said: “We are very aware that many of our beneficiaries are vulnerable and susceptible to the cold, especially those on low incomes and trying to cope with ill-health, mobility issues and older properties to maintain.
“We want to ensure that those individuals are identified and supported to keep warm and healthy, particularly during the colder months as the energy price rise begins to impact those most affected.”
CISWO’s Personal Welfare team will be identifying people in need and supporting them to get the help they are entitled to. As well as the CISWO grant, they will help people to obtain other financial aid and subsidies from the government.
The CISWO team will also be able to provide information about other support on offer from CISWO for former coal miners and their dependents, which involves: confidential home visiting service, emotional support, benefit applications, access to mobility equipment, reducing loneliness and isolation and access to holidays and convalescence.
For more information about claiming the £200 CISWO grant, visit www.ciswo.org.uk or call 01623 625 767.
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