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 residents this winter. With just two days until the deadline, only 81% of eligible householders have claimed the payment. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Low income . The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. 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. 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. Figures also estimate that 22% of Highland households are facing extreme fuel poverty. The good news is that we still have some funding left and we are very eager to make sure this gets to households in need. You can also get further advice about Welfare. Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund, The councils Welfare Support Team provide free, impartial and confidential support to claim all entitlements including the Fuel Support Fund. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. All applicants will be offered a referral to Citizens Advice (CAB) for energy checks and expertise available from CAB as this may help to reduce domestic fuel bills. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. 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There has been a tremendous response from across the Highlands for this important fuel support grant, put in place to help mitigate the costs of winter and the growing pressures on family incomes and finances, increasing unemployment and the uncertainty that lies ahead. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. | Images submitted. The scheme has this week received vital grant support from SSE Renewables Highland Sustainable Development Fund, which will provide additional funds to reduce or remove entirely householder contributions for those in extreme fuel poverty. 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. 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. We are delighted to announce the arrival of grant support from SSE Renewables which, through the area-based scheme, will help us deliver efficiency savings to those households most in need.. Low Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. 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. The fuel support scheme was launched in the latter part of January last year. 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.. For example, 62% of the properties currently signed up for the 2022/23 air source heat pump programme are classed as extreme fuel poor. People on low incomes who are experiencing fuel insecurities can apply online for a 60 non-repayable cash payment per application which is made to eligible applicants. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone accused Highland Council of wilful digital exclusion over recent letters sent out to residents inviting them to claim a 180 Fuel Support Payment. If agreed, a payment of 180 would be made to around 16,440 eligible Highland households where residents are in receipt of means-tested council tax reduction. All Rights Reserved. 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. Proposals to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter will be considered by councillors on Thursday. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. Change). On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were Under 18, a care leaver, receiving/providing care elsewhere, Severely Mentally ImpairedAND you are in receipt of one of the following qualifying benefits: If you require further help or advice regarding the 180 fuel support payment, please contact us by email fuelsupportpayment@highland.gov.uk. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities http://ow.ly/30hl30rt90P All applicants will be offered a referral to Citizens Advice (CAB) for energy checks and expertise available from CAB as this may help to reduce domestic fuel bills. 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. 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 significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. 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. 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. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? Households are continuing to provide their details by various channels including the online form on the councils website, by visiting a council service or access point and by contacting their local Citizens Advice Bureau or the councils welfare team.. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. The scheme will also remain open for new applications to ensure that this support can still be accessed.. 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. All rights reserved. Mr Stone added: We know our local authorities are under incredible pressure, not least because they have endured years of chronic underfunding from the SNP. 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. 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. Households in the Highland region, 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. 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. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. 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. (LogOut/ 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. Highland Park, . 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. Mr Stone quizzed local authority officials after a constituent without access to a computer or smartphone had to ask a neighbour for assistance. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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. The new Household Support Fund will support millions of households in England and will be distributed by councils in England, who know their local areas best and can directly help those who. Highland Council's fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. At a full council meeting on Friday,. You can also get further advice about Welfare Benefits by calling our Welfare Support Team on 0800 090 1004 or emailing them at welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 090 1004 or by e-mailwelfare.support@highland.gov.uk. The Fund has offered 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. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. Wherever possible this significant fund, totalling 3.24m, is quickly putting money into peoples pockets without them having to take any action at all, and the majority of eligible households are due to receive their payments next week. More than 3,000 people could miss out. He said more than 3,000 eligible people could be denied the money in February, in part as a result of the councils decision not to offer a telephone number. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. Our welfare staff have been working tirelessly to do their absolute best for our communities and will continue to do so.. Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. The funding will help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.". Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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.. Automatically populate forms with your details. Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. Alternatively, you can email [emailprotected] for further information or telephone Home Energy Scotland for free on 0808 808 2282 for impartial energy advice, to discuss funding options currently available and assess your eligibility for the scheme. 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.. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. 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 . Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities.
