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 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. Highland Council said it did not comment on individual cases. The SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. Low income . With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. 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.. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Highland Council to pay 180 towards heating bills this winter Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Automatically populate forms with your details. Highland Council to offer Fuel Support Fund grants for low income The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund (FSF) has been set up by the council using Scottish Government money which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. Council leader Councillor 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. Council officials responded: Due to the difficult situation many of our customers currently find themselves in, our welfare team are already working at full capacity to manage the volume of referrals they receive. A third of households in Highland Council area experiencing fuel poverty The Liberal Democrat MP said: It is entirely wrong that the council is telling people that they must apply online to access the Fuel Support Payment, despite operating a phone support line for the expressed purpose of helping people claim their benefits. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities http://ow.ly/30hl30rt90P Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. Highland Council to consider support for households living in fuel Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy bills. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. 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 funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. 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. 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. 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. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . This site uses cookies. 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Fuel Support Fund | Duncan Forbes Primary School Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. More than 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. 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 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables to offer support to those facing Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? The Highland Council 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. 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. Thousands could lose out on cash over Highland Council digital demand 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. nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. (LogOut/ Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. 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. 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. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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.. 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 Highland Council letter, sent to over 16,000 eligible constituents, stated: To receive your 180 payment, you must complete our online form.. Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community. 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 . The Leader of the Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson added Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 090 1004 or by e-mailwelfare.support@highland.gov.uk. 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. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. Signing-up gives you the following: Single sign on for all council services (not including eplanning) Save forms for completion later. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. 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. 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 funding will help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.". All Rights Reserved. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per. This discretionary fuel support scheme is still open and plans remain in place to ensure households who have not yet responded, will not lose out, he said. 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. 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. 3 million approved by Highland Council to help those in fuel poverty 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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. Mr Stone quizzed local authority officials after a constituent without access to a computer or smartphone had to ask a neighbour for assistance. The Council is encouraging households to apply for its Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS) as part of plans to ease fuel poverty in the region. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. A payment of 180 will now be made to around 16,440 eligible Highland households where residents are in receipt of means-tested council tax reduction. Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. The significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. People on low incomes who are experiencing fuel insecurities can apply online atwww.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund for a 60 non-repayable cash payment per application which is made to eligible applicants. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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 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 for low income households in Caithness 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 - CROWN PRIMARY SCHOOL To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households 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. Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. Members of the Highland Council agreed support totalling almost 3 million to help people currently living in fuel poverty due to the rise in prices. Highland Park residents react to newest concept for renovation, bike 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. I am proud of our teams at Albyn who have made sure that families across the Highlands have been getting the support they need this winter. Tenants can access this fund by emailing energyfund@albynhousing.org.uk or by speaking to their housing officer. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. 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. 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.. Fuel Support Payment - The Highland Council Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per household to help those who have been awarded council tax reduction and are having difficulties paying their fuel bills. 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. With just two days until the deadline, only 81% of eligible householders have claimed the payment. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty Highland Council's fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. Using COVID-19 funding from the Scottish Government, this non-repayable grant provides a 60 payment per household for those who have been awarded council tax reduction and are having difficulties paying their fuel bills. The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . 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. Highland Council Fuel Support Fund | Farr Primary School 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. 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. 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. Low . The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. 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. 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. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. Fuel Support Fund - Highland Third Sector Interface | Facebook 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..