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. Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. 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. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. 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.. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. 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. 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 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. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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 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 Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Change). As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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. All Rights Reserved. Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. 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. 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. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. This site uses cookies. At the end of October, the Scottish Government announced a 41 million Winter Support Fund for low-income families which includes 10m nationally to help those struggling to pay their fuel bills. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. 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. Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. All rights reserved. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. Highland Park, . By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. 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.. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their 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:. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities http://ow.ly/30hl30rt90P 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. Over the last nine years the scheme has leveraged around 34 million of external funding to the Highlands to deliver energy efficiency measures to over 3,100 privately owned and privately rented properties throughout the Highlands. We had contact with one mum who had been very distressed about the cost of energy and providing for her children. 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. 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. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. 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. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. 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. With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. Low 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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. 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. 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George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? Cllr Bremner also highlighted that the scheme is open to all owner occupier and privately rented properties who meet eligibility criteria and encouraged members of the public to make inquiries about the scheme. 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. The funding will help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.". Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. Highland Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. The funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. Low income . 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Draught proofing kits, carpets, and thermal curtains and door fittings have been provided to help keep homes warm. The significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. 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. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. This is where the SSE Renewables Grant can help those experiencing extreme fuel poverty. 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.. In some cases, the energy bill vouchers have been allowing families to pay off their debts. 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