highland council fuel support fund

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. All rights reserved. This discretionary fuel support scheme is still open and plans remain in place to ensure households who have not yet responded, will not lose out, he said. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. 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. 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. Council leader Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel 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. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. 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Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities. Low income . Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. It is clear to us that this fund is making a real difference. 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. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. This site uses cookies. The significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. 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. 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. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. 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. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. 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.. 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. 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. 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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. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. Highland Council's fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. 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.. 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. 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. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. The Highland Council letter, sent to over 16,000 eligible constituents, stated: To receive your 180 payment, you must complete our online form.. 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. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . The programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are 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 SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. In some cases, the energy bill vouchers have been allowing families to pay off their debts. 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. Funding from Scottish Government grant covers the cost of the installation, in the most part, although some works may require a household contribution to meet the shortfall between installation cost and funding available. 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. 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 Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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. 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. 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. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. 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. 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. More than 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. Enquire through our Energy Efficient Scotland pagefor more information. 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. 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. Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. Figures also estimate that 22% of Highland households are facing extreme fuel poverty. 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. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. 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. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. All Rights Reserved. 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.

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