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. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. 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.. At a full council meeting on Friday,. 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 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. Change). Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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.. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. 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. 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. 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Copyright SSE 2023. The scheme has this week received vital grant support from SSE Renewables Highland Sustainable Development Fund, which will provide additional funds to reduce or remove entirely householder contributions for those in extreme fuel poverty. 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. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. 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 Scottish Government grant is available for owner occupiers and private rented properties subject to eligibility (see table below), grant funding cannot be used to cover installation costs for social properties (either Council or Registered Landlord). With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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. 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. For example, 62% of the properties currently signed up for the 2022/23 air source heat pump programme are classed as extreme fuel poor. Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy bills. 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. (LogOut/ Highland Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. 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 . Mr Stone quizzed local authority officials after a constituent without access to a computer or smartphone had to ask a neighbour for assistance. 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. Automatically populate forms with your details. 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. Highland Council said it did not comment on individual cases. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Low income . 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. 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. 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. 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. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. 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.. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. All Rights Reserved. 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All Rights Reserved. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. 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 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. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. All rights reserved. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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. 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. The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. The funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. 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. 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.. 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 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. Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. 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. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. 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. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. Tenants can access this fund by emailing energyfund@albynhousing.org.uk or by speaking to their housing officer. Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating.