highland council fuel support fundhighland council fuel support fund
Scottish Government figures indicate 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24%. Low income . 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. You can also get further advice about Welfare. All Rights Reserved. Figures also estimate that 22% of Highland households are facing extreme fuel poverty. This site uses cookies. 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. 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. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy 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. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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 has been delivering the Scottish Governments Energy Efficiency Scotland Area Based Scheme for over nine years, which offers households the opportunity to benefit from grant funded innovative, energy efficiency measures, which have the potential to improve peoples living conditions. 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. 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. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. If agreed, a payment of 180 would be made to around 16,440 eligible Highland households where residents are in receipt of means-tested council tax reduction. 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. 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. 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. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Enquire through our Energy Efficient Scotland pagefor more information. Automatically populate forms with your details. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. 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 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. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. 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. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel 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 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. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. 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. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. 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. 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. 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. Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. 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. 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. 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. 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.. 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. Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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. 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. More than 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. 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. 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. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. 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. With just two days until the deadline, only 81% of eligible householders have claimed the payment. 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. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. The funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. He added that in response to the unprecedented demand from Highland residents in need of financial and other support, the council has increased welfare staff numbers and set up a dedicated fuel support telephone number, enabling households to call 01349 781990 to provide their details. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 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. 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. 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. Council leader Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . 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. 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