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. He added: One of the key issues we have faced to date is a lack of sign-ups for the scheme. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? Councillor Margaret Davidson, council leader, said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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 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. 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. For details on how to sign up for the programme visit Highland Councils dedicated webpage. 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. Low 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. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. It was therefore not feasible to include their number on the letters., Despite the letters stating residents must make their claim online, the council added: Customers who prefer to make contact by telephone can use one of our many telephone numbers that are well established and freely available.. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of 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. 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. Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per. 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. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities. Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. 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. Enquire through our Energy Efficient Scotland pagefor more information. 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. 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. 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. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. 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. 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. 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. This site uses cookies. 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Learn how your comment data is processed. Leader of Highland Council, Councillor Margaret Davidson, said:In the light of the clear concerns about extreme fuel poverty in Highland communities, it is imperative that we take immediate action to relieve some of the worst impacts this winter. 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. 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. If you require further help or advice regarding the 180 fuel support payment, please contact us by email fuelsupportpayment@highland.gov.uk. Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. Council leader Councillor 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 . The Highland Council letter, sent to over 16,000 eligible constituents, stated: To receive your 180 payment, you must complete our online form.. 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.. Highland Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. 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. The 270,000. | Images submitted. 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. 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. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. 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 association's Fuel Support Fund. 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. Highland Park, . 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. Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. 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 . Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. Without EES:ABS there is currently no other long-term support to households in fuel poverty and those vulnerable to living with the effects of a cold home. All Rights Reserved. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. 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Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. 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. 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. 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.. Low . 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. 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. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities http://ow.ly/30hl30rt90P We had contact with one mum who had been very distressed about the cost of energy and providing for her children. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. The Welfare Support Team provides free, impartial and confidential support on fuel insecurity concerns, in addition to offering assistance to check eligibility and submit a claim for all benefits and entitlements. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. It is clear to us that this fund is making a real difference. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Copyright SSE 2023. 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. Highland Council has been delivering the Scottish Governments Energy Efficiency Scotland Area Based Scheme for over nine years, which offers households the opportunity to benefit from grant funded innovative, energy efficiency measures, which have the potential to improve peoples living conditions. If you were eligible but did not apply for a direct payment, your Council Tax account will have been credited and a new Council Tax bill issued to confirm. 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.. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . The fuel support scheme was launched in the latter part of January last year. Signing-up gives you the following: Single sign on for all council services (not including eplanning) Save forms for completion later. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. (LogOut/ 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. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. Change). Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. 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. 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. 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As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their 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 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. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. Low income . 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. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. 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. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. 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. Mr Stone quizzed local authority officials after a constituent without access to a computer or smartphone had to ask a neighbour for assistance. 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. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some 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. The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. 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. 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. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. 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. 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.. 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.. 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. 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.. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. Find out more in the video here: https://vimeo.com/777370114/eda07cc990, Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. 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. 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. (LogOut/ Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. All rights reserved. This is where the SSE Renewables Grant can help those experiencing extreme fuel poverty. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. This site uses cookies. More than 3,000 people could miss out. 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. 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. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. 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. 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. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. 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. Automatically populate forms with your details. 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.