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. The significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. If you are an Albyn tenant, and are needing help paying your bills, please do get in touch with us or speak with your housing officer. Enquire through our Energy Efficient Scotland pagefor more information. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. 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. Highland Council - Fuel Support Fund - Cawdor Primary School 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. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. Highland Council announces fuel support fund for low income households Without EES:ABS there is currently no other long-term support to households in fuel poverty and those vulnerable to living with the effects of a cold home. 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. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. 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. It was therefore not feasible to include their number on the letters., Despite the letters stating residents must make their claim online, the council added: Customers who prefer to make contact by telephone can use one of our many telephone numbers that are well established and freely available.. 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. All rights reserved. Highland families bolstered by Albyn fuel 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. Low We are encouraging local members to promote this scheme through their ward meetings to highlight its many benefits., He added: On top of the financial savings the scheme also delivers significant carbon savings and enables householders to meet the challenges of climate change and improve properties energy efficiency rating in accordance with Scottish Government targets., "The Sustainable Development Fund is focused on creating lasting transformation in the Highlands. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. Our welfare staff have been working tirelessly to do their absolute best for our communities and will continue to do so.. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community. For example, 62% of the properties currently signed up for the 2022/23 air source heat pump programme are classed as extreme fuel poor. 3 million approved by Highland Council to help those in fuel poverty At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. The Fund has offered 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. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities. 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. 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. 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.. 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. 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 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. The programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. Highland Council Fuel Support Fund | Obsdale Primary School As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 090 1004 or by e-mailwelfare.support@highland.gov.uk. 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. Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Mr Stone added: We know our local authorities are under incredible pressure, not least because they have endured years of chronic underfunding from the SNP. The scheme will also remain open for new applications to ensure that this support can still be accessed.. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. 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. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. 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. (LogOut/ 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. Fuel Support Fund - Highland Third Sector Interface | Facebook 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. Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. 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%. 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. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. You have received a letter from the Highland Council to advise of your possible entitlement AND on 30 November 2021, you were in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. (LogOut/ 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. 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. Highland Council said it did not comment on individual cases. 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. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. 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. At a full council meeting on Friday,. 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..