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. Scottish Government figures indicate 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24%. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. 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. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. This site uses cookies. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. We had contact with one mum who had been very distressed about the cost of energy and providing for her children. 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. An outline of 1.4 miles of Green Bay Road in Highland Park that is set for an overhaul beginning in 2024 or 2025. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. 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. 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Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. 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. 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 will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. Highland Park, . Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. 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. 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. 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. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. 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. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. 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. Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy 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. Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. 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. Draught proofing kits, carpets, and thermal curtains and door fittings have been provided to help keep homes warm. 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. 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.. 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. You can also get further advice about Welfare. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . With just two days until the deadline, only 81% of eligible householders have claimed the payment. 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. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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. 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 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. 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. The Highland Council letter, sent to over 16,000 eligible constituents, stated: To receive your 180 payment, you must complete our online form.. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. 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. 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. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. 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.. 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Automatically populate forms with your details. 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. Highland Council's fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. Highland Council said it did not comment on individual cases. 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.. 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. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. 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. (LogOut/ 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. Proposals to provide almost 3m to help households in fuel poverty in Highland this winter will be considered by members at the meeting of full Council on 9 December. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. 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. 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. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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. It is clear to us that this fund is making a real difference. 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The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. 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. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. 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. Low . 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. Proposals to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter will be considered by councillors on Thursday. 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. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities. The funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. 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. This is where the SSE Renewables Grant can help those experiencing extreme fuel poverty. More than 3,000 people could miss out. 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. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. The fuel support scheme was launched in the latter part of January last year. 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. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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.. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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/ 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. Fuel Support Fund 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 EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . All Rights Reserved. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. More than 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. 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 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. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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. At a full council meeting on Friday,. Find out more in the video here: https://vimeo.com/777370114/eda07cc990, Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. 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. Tenants can access this fund by emailing energyfund@albynhousing.org.uk or by speaking to their housing officer. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com 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. 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. Copyright SSE 2023. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. All rights reserved. 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. 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 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 Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. 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 associations Fuel Support Fund. 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. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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.. 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. 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. Signing-up gives you the following: Single sign on for all council services (not including eplanning) Save forms for completion later. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. If you require further help or advice regarding the 180 fuel support payment, please contact us by email fuelsupportpayment@highland.gov.uk. With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. 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. 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. 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. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. The scheme will also remain open for new applications to ensure that this support can still be accessed.. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. 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. 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. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. 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.
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