Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. 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). 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson added Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. The fuel support scheme was launched in the latter part of January last year. Councillor Margaret Davidson, council leader, 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. Highland Council Fuel Support Fund | Obsdale Primary School 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. It is clear to us that this fund is making a real difference. The significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. 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. 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. 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables to offer support to those facing 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 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.. 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 Council to offer Fuel Support Fund grants for low income Ross This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. More than 3,000 people could miss out. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. Highland families bolstered by Albyn fuel fund nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. 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. Enquire through our Energy Efficient Scotland pagefor more information. The Highland Council 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 could lose out on cash over Highland Council digital demand Change). Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. 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. Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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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. 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%. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. This site uses cookies. An outline of 1.4 miles of Green Bay Road in Highland Park that is set for an overhaul beginning in 2024 or 2025. Fuel support fund to continue as thousands of north households benefit Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Fuel Support Fund | Milton of Leys Primary School 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. 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 Council to offer Fuel Support Fund grants for low income For details on how to sign up for the programme visit Highland Councils dedicated webpage. Fuel Support Fund for low income - The Highland Council | Facebook Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Scots can apply directly to the Home Heating Support Fund - here's how The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. Proposals to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter will be considered by councillors on Thursday. All Rights Reserved. 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. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. The scheme will also remain open for new applications to ensure that this support can still be accessed.. 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. 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. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. Low 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 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.. 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 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. All rights reserved. More than 4,500 north households benefited in the first three weeks of the scheme, launched at the end of January. 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. 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 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. At a full council meeting on Friday,. Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy bills. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . 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.. 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. 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 Park, . The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a range of energy efficiency measures including: While the programme adopts a fabric first approach, the 2022/23 programme has a particular focus on installation of air source heat pumps and also encouraging householders to consider Cavity Wall, Loft Insulation and solar panels and battery storage. 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 Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. A third of households in Highland Council area experiencing fuel poverty With just two days until the deadline, only 81% of eligible householders have claimed the payment. You can also get further advice about Welfare Benefits by calling our Welfare Support Team on 0800 090 1004 or emailing them at welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. 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.. 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.