As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities http://ow.ly/30hl30rt90P (LogOut/ 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. Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. 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. 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. 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. At a full council meeting on Friday,. 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. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. 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. 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. 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 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. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. 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. 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Low income . 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.. More than 4,500 north households benefited in the first three weeks of the scheme, launched at the end of January. 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Copyright SSE 2023. 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. 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. You can also get further advice about Welfare. 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. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. The funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. 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 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.. (LogOut/ Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. 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 Leader of the Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson added Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. Low . Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. 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 funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. All Rights Reserved. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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 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.. 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 fuel support scheme was launched in the latter part of January last year. 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. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. 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. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. Highland Park, . 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. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their The funding will help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.". 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.