highland council fuel support fund

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. 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. 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. 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. 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. 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. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 090 1004 or by e-mailwelfare.support@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. 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. Scots can apply directly to the Home Heating Support Fund - here's how Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. 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 funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Proposals to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter will be considered by councillors on Thursday. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. 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. With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . Change). 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Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty compared to the national average of 24% and 22% of all households in Highland are facing extreme fuel poverty, which is nearly double the national average, at 12%. The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . The funding will help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.". Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. 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. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. He added: One of the key issues we have faced to date is a lack of sign-ups for the scheme. Low income . 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. Figures also estimate that 22% of Highland households are facing extreme fuel poverty. 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. 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. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. This site uses cookies. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. A spokesman said: "The Fuel Support Fund was established at the council's discretion using around 1m from the Scottish Government's Winter Support Fund and 2.24m from the council's. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. 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.. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. 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. 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. Tenants can access this fund by emailing energyfund@albynhousing.org.uk or by speaking to their housing officer. 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. 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. 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. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . Mr Stone quizzed local authority officials after a constituent without access to a computer or smartphone had to ask a neighbour for assistance. For example, 62% of the properties currently signed up for the 2022/23 air source heat pump programme are classed as extreme fuel poor. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. Fuel Support Fund for low income - The Highland Council | Facebook As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. 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. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. 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. (LogOut/ Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. Low All rights reserved. Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. 823 Blue Blvd Olivia Rodrigo, Katia Gordeeva & David Pelletier Married, Unrepresented Buyer Disclosure Arizona, Articles H