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. 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 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 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 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 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. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. Copyright SSE 2023. The SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. 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. 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 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 EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. 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. We had contact with one mum who had been very distressed about the cost of energy and providing for her children. All Rights Reserved. The scheme will also remain open for new applications to ensure that this support can still be accessed.. We are encouraging local members to promote this scheme through their ward meetings to highlight its many benefits., He added: On top of the financial savings the scheme also delivers significant carbon savings and enables householders to meet the challenges of climate change and improve properties energy efficiency rating in accordance with Scottish Government targets., "The Sustainable Development Fund is focused on creating lasting transformation in the Highlands. The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. For example, 62% of the properties currently signed up for the 2022/23 air source heat pump programme are classed as extreme fuel poor. Scottish Government figures indicate 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24%. The 270,000. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. All Rights Reserved. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. 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. The significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. Highland Council's fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. As well as providing a 245 voucher for her energy bills, we were also able to supply an air fryer, a more energy efficient kettle and winter duvets for her young family. Cllr Bremner also highlighted that the scheme is open to all owner occupier and privately rented properties who meet eligibility criteria and encouraged members of the public to make inquiries about the scheme. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. 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 welfare team have now processed over 86% of eligible people and are continuing to support the remaining households to provide the relevant details to enable the funds to be paid. Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. 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. nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. Draught proofing kits, carpets, and thermal curtains and door fittings have been provided to help keep homes warm. 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. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 090 1004 or by e-mailwelfare.support@highland.gov.uk. At a full council meeting on Friday,. Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. If you are an Albyn tenant, and are needing help paying your bills, please do get in touch with us or speak with your housing officer. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. 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 associations Fuel Support Fund. Automatically populate forms with your details. Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy bills. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. The Sustainable Development Fund supports strategic projects across the Highland local authority area and allows SSE to direct support to projects that can achieve significant impact in local communities. Funding from Scottish Government grant covers the cost of the installation, in the most part, although some works may require a household contribution to meet the shortfall between installation cost and funding available. Councillor Margaret Davidson, council leader, said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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 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. Low income . 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 will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. 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. 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. 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. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. It is crucial that we encourage as many people as possible to sign up to the Energy Efficiency Scotland Area Based Scheme to benefit from grant funding to carry out energy efficiency improvements to their homes, improving comfort levels and attempt to minimise the impact of rising fuel costs. 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. Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. 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). 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 programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. 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. 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. Low income . Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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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. 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. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. 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. This site uses cookies. However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. The fuel support scheme was launched in the latter part of January last year. Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. 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. 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. He added that in response to the unprecedented demand from Highland residents in need of financial and other support, the council has increased welfare staff numbers and set up a dedicated fuel support telephone number, enabling households to call 01349 781990 to provide their details. 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More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their (LogOut/ Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. Highland Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. A spokesman said: The Fuel Support Fund was established at the councils discretion using around 1m from the Scottish Governments Winter Support Fund and 2.24m from the councils reserves, to help mitigate the impacts of significant energy price and cost of living increases for hard pressed Highland residents. Thousands of vulnerable people in the north could miss out on cash support to ease the impact of soaring fuel bills after the local authority insisted applications be made online. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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 leader Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. 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. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. 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. On 29 October 2021, the Scottish Government announced a 41m Winter Support Fund for low-income families which includes 10m nationally to help those struggling to pay their fuel bills.