Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. 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 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 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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.. You can also get further advice about Welfare. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 090 1004 or by e-mailwelfare.support@highland.gov.uk. 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 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. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. 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. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. 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. 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. 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.. If you require further help or advice regarding the 180 fuel support payment, please contact us by email fuelsupportpayment@highland.gov.uk. 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. 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. Scottish Government figures indicate 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24%. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. 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. More than 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. The funding will help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.". 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. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. Automatically populate forms with your details. (LogOut/ 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. All Rights Reserved. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. 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. 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. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. 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. 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 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. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. 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. With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. The SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. Low income . More than 3,000 people could miss out. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. With just two days until the deadline, only 81% of eligible householders have claimed the payment. | Images submitted. 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. Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy bills. Low Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. 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. 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. 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. Our welfare staff have been working tirelessly to do their absolute best for our communities and will continue to do so.. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. 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. 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. This site uses cookies. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. 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. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. 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All Rights Reserved. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . 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. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. 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. 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. 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.. 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. 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 residents 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. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. 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. 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.. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone accused Highland Council of wilful digital exclusion over recent letters sent out to residents inviting them to claim a 180 Fuel Support Payment. 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. 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. 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. The funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. (LogOut/ 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. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. 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 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 . But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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 4,500 north households benefited in the first three weeks of the scheme, launched at the end of January. 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. Copyright SSE 2023. 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. It has offered the Highland Council 1 million of grant funding to be spent over 2022/23 and 2023/24 with the option to extend funding to 2024/25 if necessary. 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. 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. 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. This site uses cookies. 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. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community. 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. 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. 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. The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. 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.. Change). 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.. 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. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. 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. 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. All rights reserved. Find out more in the video here: https://vimeo.com/777370114/eda07cc990, Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. 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. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. 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. 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. 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