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. 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. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. 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. Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. Find out more in the video here: https://vimeo.com/777370114/eda07cc990, Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund. 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 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. In the longer term, this dire situation clearly demonstrates the pressing need for a UK wide, strategic review of our energy supply, market and infrastructure., Depute Leader Alasdair Christie added: Living with fuel poverty has far reaching impacts, particularly on health and wellbeing, as well as learning, employment and social networks. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. (LogOut/ More than 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. Copyright SSE 2023. 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. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. This is where the SSE Renewables Grant can help those experiencing extreme fuel poverty. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. 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 unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. Council leader Councillor 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 here for a 60 non-repayable cash payment per application which is made to eligible applicants. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? At a full council meeting on Friday,. 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. Scottish Government figures indicate 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24%. Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy bills. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. 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. In some cases, the energy bill vouchers have been allowing families to pay off their debts. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. 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 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. Automatically populate forms with your details. 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 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. 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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. For details on how to sign up for the programme visit Highland Councils dedicated webpage. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. 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. 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.. 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 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. 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. 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's fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. 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. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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 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.. 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. The significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. Tenants can access this fund by emailing energyfund@albynhousing.org.uk or by speaking to their housing officer. 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. 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. If you require further help or advice regarding the 180 fuel support payment, please contact us by email fuelsupportpayment@highland.gov.uk. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. 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 scheme will also remain open for new applications to ensure that this support can still be accessed.. 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. 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. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. 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. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. 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. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. 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. 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. 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. The SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience.