Highland Council said it did not comment on individual cases. Highland Council to offer Fuel Support Fund grants for low income Ross In some cases, the energy bill vouchers have been allowing families to pay off their debts. Draught proofing kits, carpets, and thermal curtains and door fittings have been provided to help keep homes warm. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their About Us 275 Years of The Press and Journal, End of an era as new purpose approved for former Buccaneer jet site at, Yellow weather warning for snow and ice issued for north and north-east, Friends locked up over rampage of violence in pubs that left five people injured, North Sea helicopter emergency lands at Sumburgh Airport in Shetland, More than 100 Inverness passengers stuck in London after British Airways flight cancelled, Drink-driving Highland minister crashed car and kept going despite only having three tyres, Controversial 3-bin change rolling out in Aberdeenshire from April, Aberdeenshire village loses only Post Office as MP labels decision hammer blow, Unpaid work for man who had 199 indecent images of children, Stolen chips and insults as The Captains Table puts Fraserburgh spin on Karen Night, Nature Watch: Beavers, burrs, buzzards and blackbirds on River Earn walk, Defender Mattie Pollock aims to use Aberdeen loan spell to prove he can shine, Winger Vicente Besuijen back at Aberdeen for injury assessment, 'But he calls himself Asian': Racist tries to defend 'go back to your own, Rachel Corsie: Concerning time for women's international football ahead of the World Cup, Dragons' Den breathes fire into matcha drink - but what is it and who's. 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. 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. 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. Scottish Government figures indicate 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24%. The significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. Highland Council Fuel Support Fund | Obsdale Primary School Fuel Support Fund - CROWN PRIMARY SCHOOL 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. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. 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 will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. A payment of 180 will now be made to around 16,440 eligible Highland households where residents are in receipt of means-tested council tax reduction. 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.. Leader of Highland Council, Councillor Margaret Davidson, said:In the light of the clear concerns about extreme fuel poverty in Highland communities, it is imperative that we take immediate action to relieve some of the worst impacts this winter. 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.. Highland Council - Fuel Support Fund - Cawdor Primary School Low . Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. 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. 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.. A third of households in Highland Council area experiencing fuel poverty Low 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. 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.. 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. 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. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Government launches 500m support for vulnerable households over winter 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. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland - The Highland Council 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. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. Tenants can access this fund by emailing energyfund@albynhousing.org.uk or by speaking to their housing officer. Find out more in the video here: https://vimeo.com/777370114/eda07cc990, Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund. 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. 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. He added: One of the key issues we have faced to date is a lack of sign-ups for the scheme. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. Highland Park residents react to newest concept for renovation, bike 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. 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.. 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. 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. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. 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. All rights reserved. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. 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. 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. 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. 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. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. 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. 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. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. 3 million approved by Highland Council to help those in fuel poverty All Rights Reserved. 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables to offer support to those facing This is where the SSE Renewables Grant can help those experiencing extreme fuel poverty. 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. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. 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. 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. 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. 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. With just two days until the deadline, only 81% of eligible householders have claimed the payment. 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. 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.