With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. More than 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. 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.. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. 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. Low . All rights reserved. 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. He added: One of the key issues we have faced to date is a lack of sign-ups for the scheme. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Tenants can access this fund by emailing energyfund@albynhousing.org.uk or by speaking to their housing officer. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. Low income . 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. 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. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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 . 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.. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. 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 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. 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. You can also get further advice about Welfare. This is where the SSE Renewables Grant can help those experiencing extreme fuel poverty. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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. The programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. (LogOut/ Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund, The councils Welfare Support Team provide free, impartial and confidential support to claim all entitlements including the Fuel Support Fund. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. A spokesman said: The Fuel Support Fund was established at the councils discretion using around 1m from the Scottish Governments Winter Support Fund and 2.24m from the councils reserves, to help mitigate the impacts of significant energy price and cost of living increases for hard pressed Highland residents. Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. The Fund has offered Highland Council 1m of grant funding to be spent over 2022/23 and 2023/24 with the option to extend funding to 2024/25 if necessary. However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. Learn how your comment data is processed. Draught proofing kits, carpets, and thermal curtains and door fittings have been provided to help keep homes warm. Council leader Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Scottish Government figures indicate 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24%. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on 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. | Images submitted. An outline of 1.4 miles of Green Bay Road in Highland Park that is set for an overhaul beginning in 2024 or 2025. 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. 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. 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. The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . If you require further help or advice regarding the 180 fuel support payment, please contact us by email fuelsupportpayment@highland.gov.uk. 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. 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.. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. 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. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. Low Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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. 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. 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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.. 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 funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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. 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. 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 Highland Council letter, sent to over 16,000 eligible constituents, stated: To receive your 180 payment, you must complete our online form.. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities. 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. 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. Low income . Signing-up gives you the following: Single sign on for all council services (not including eplanning) Save forms for completion later. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. Our welfare staff have been working tirelessly to do their absolute best for our communities and will continue to do so.. 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. 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. 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. 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. Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. 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. 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 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. 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. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . (LogOut/ 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. 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. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. 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.. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 090 1004 or by e-mailwelfare.support@highland.gov.uk. 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. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. The SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. 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:. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. 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. 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. Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. 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 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. 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%. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. 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. 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. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. 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.
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