A third of households in Highland Council area experiencing fuel poverty Households in the Highlands who are on low income and experiencing fuel insecurities as a result of Covid-19 can apply for a Fuel Support Fund grant from Highland Council. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. Enquire through our Energy Efficient Scotland pagefor more information. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. Where appropriate, eligible applicants will be awarded a grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund before being considered for a grant from the local Fuel Support Fund. Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. It was therefore not feasible to include their number on the letters., Despite the letters stating residents must make their claim online, the council added: Customers who prefer to make contact by telephone can use one of our many telephone numbers that are well established and freely available.. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. In some cases, the energy bill vouchers have been allowing families to pay off their debts. The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund has been set up by the council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. Without EES:ABS there is currently no other long-term support to households in fuel poverty and those vulnerable to living with the effects of a cold home. Highland Council's fuel and food support heralded a success However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. (LogOut/ George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. An outline of 1.4 miles of Green Bay Road in Highland Park that is set for an overhaul beginning in 2024 or 2025. The Councils Head of Revenues and Business Support will therefore look at these claims on an individual basis so that awards can be made to those who are eligible.. The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund has been set up by the Council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. People on low incomes who are experiencing fuel insecurities can apply online here for a 60 non-repayable cash payment per application which is made to eligible applicants. Over the last nine years the scheme has leveraged around 34 million of external funding to the Highlands to deliver energy efficiency measures to over 3,100 privately owned and privately rented properties throughout the Highlands. Find out more in the video here: https://vimeo.com/777370114/eda07cc990, Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund. The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund has been set up by the Council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. Fuel support fund - Nairn Academy Highland Council is proposing to use an allocation from this fund together with 2m from reserves in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by Highland . More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their energy costs and pay their bills. The Scottish Government grant is available for owner occupiers and private rented properties subject to eligibility (see table below), grant funding cannot be used to cover installation costs for social properties (either Council or Registered Landlord). If you require further help or advice regarding the 180 fuel support payment, please contact us by email fuelsupportpayment@highland.gov.uk. In addition, Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) has a specialist team of Energy Advisors who can undertake a range of energy checks which are designed to help with reducing domestic fuel bills. More than 4,500 north households benefited in the first three weeks of the scheme, launched at the end of January. Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community. Fuel Support Fund for low income households in Caithness document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For details on how to sign up for the programme visit Highland Councils dedicated webpage. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. Households in the Highlands who are on low income and experiencing fuel insecurities as a result of COVID-19 can apply for a Fuel Support Fund from The Highland Council. Large sections of the Highland population do not have access to mains gas and are reliant on more expensive sources of domestic heating such as oil, wood, coal, and wood pellets. Highland Council and SSE Renewables to offer support to those facing Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities http://ow.ly/30hl30rt90P Highland Council - Fuel Support Fund - Cawdor Primary School This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. Low income . The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund has been set up by the council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. The Welfare Support Team provides free, impartial and confidential support on fuel insecurity concerns, in addition to offering assistance to check eligibility and submit a claim for all benefits and entitlements. Hundreds of Highland households worried about rising fuel bills and the cost of living have been given much needed support from Albyn Housing Society this winter, through the housing association's Fuel Support Fund. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. Low . Mr Stone queried why it did not state the payment could be claimed by speaking to an advisor over the phone using the councils welfare support line. Thousands could lose out on cash over Highland Council digital demand Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Households in the Highland who are on low income and experiencing fuel insecurities as a result of COVID-19 can apply for a Fuel Support Fund from The Highland Council. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. Highland Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. 3 million approved by Highland Council to help those in fuel poverty At the end of October, the Scottish Government announced a 41 million Winter Support Fund for low-income families which includes 10m nationally to help those struggling to pay their fuel bills. 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Change). Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. You have received a letter from the Highland Council to advise of your possible entitlement AND on 30 November 2021, you were in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. It has offered the Highland Council 1 million of grant funding to be spent over 2022/23 and 2023/24 with the option to extend funding to 2024/25 if necessary. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland - The Highland Council Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved. Households in the Highlands who are on low income and experiencing fuel insecurities as a result of COVID-19 can apply for a Fuel Support Fund from the Highland Council. The Councils head of revenues and business support will therefore look at these claims on an individual basis so that awards can be made to those who are eligible.. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Highland households in extreme fuel poverty to benefit from new fund The funding will help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.". Highland Council has therefore decided to use part of the Governments funding to set up a fuel support fund for those who are having difficulties paying for fuel for their homes.. The fuel support scheme was launched in the latter part of January last year. Applications for the fuel support fund can be made online via the councils website at or by calling the welfare support team on 0800 090 1004. Fuel poverty campaigners call for more ambitious targets, Fuel poverty among Scottish households drops by 4%, Fuel poverty initiatives named amongst engineering projects of the future, Fuel poverty strategy must go further to give assurance that Scotland will meet fuel poverty targets. Funding is also available from the Scottish Government, Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Warm Homes Fund for those looking to implement energy efficiency measures within their home such as adding loft, cavity or External Wall Insulation to reduce heat loss and save on annual energy bills. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund has been set up by the Council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. This site uses cookies. For those experiencing fuel insecurities, the scheme is available to low income households who are entitled to Council Tax Reduction (CTR) and for those without recourse to public funds. Households in the Highlands who are on low income and experiencing fuel insecurities as a result of COVID-19 can apply for a Fuel Support Fund from the Highland Council. Large sections of the Highland population do not have access to mains gas and are reliant on more expensive sources of domestic heating such as oil, wood, coal, and wood pellets. Highland Council's fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. All rights reserved. Fuel Support Fund Households in the Highland who are on low income and experiencing fuel insecurities as a result of COVID-19 can apply for a Fuel Support Fund from The Highland Council:. 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Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. The Fund has offered Highland Council 1m of grant funding to be spent over 2022/23 and 2023/24 with the option to extend funding to 2024/25 if necessary. 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Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Council tax rules mean that there are some individuals on a low income who are exempt from council tax and therefore not entitled to council tax reduction. Albyn Housing Society have been using the contact with tenants to highlight other sources of support too, including those provided by the Highland Council and their local Citizens Advice Bureau. The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund has been set up by the Council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. Households in the Ross-shire and the rest of the Highlands who are on low income and experiencing fuel insecurities as a result of Covid-19 can apply for a Fuel Support Fund grant from Highland Council. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their energy costs and pay their bills.