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. 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. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Low 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. 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. 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. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their Scots can apply directly to the Home Heating Support Fund - here's how Fuel support fund - Nairn Academy Fuel Support Payment - The 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. Highland families bolstered by Albyn fuel fund Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. 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.. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. 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. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. 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. Highland Council said it did not comment on individual cases. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. 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. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. 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. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. 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. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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. 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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Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy bills. 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. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. Thousands could lose out on cash over Highland Council digital demand The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. Change). 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. 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. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. 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. 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. 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. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. 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. 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. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. Copyright SSE 2023. Highland Council - Fuel Support Fund - Cawdor Primary School 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. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. For example, 62% of the properties currently signed up for the 2022/23 air source heat pump programme are classed as extreme fuel poor. The Highland Council letter, sent to over 16,000 eligible constituents, stated: To receive your 180 payment, you must complete our online form.. 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). Our welfare staff have been working tirelessly to do their absolute best for our communities and will continue to do so.. Fuel Support Fund for low income - The Highland Council | Facebook Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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 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. 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. Highland Families Bolstered by Albyn Fuel Fund However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. 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.. All rights reserved. Low . 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. Highland Council announces fuel support fund for low income households nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. 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. 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. Low income . Highland Park, . Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities.