To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. Highland Council to pay 180 towards heating bills this winter Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Automatically populate forms with your details. 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. Low 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. Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. Low income . Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. 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. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone accused Highland Council of wilful digital exclusion over recent letters sent out to residents inviting them to claim a 180 Fuel Support Payment. The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. It is clear to us that this fund is making a real difference. Low In some cases, the energy bill vouchers have been allowing families to pay off their debts. 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. Highland Council Fuel Support Fund | Obsdale Primary School At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. 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. 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. 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. 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. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. 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%. 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. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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. 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 Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. 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. 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. Highland Council to consider support for households living in fuel Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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. 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. 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 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.. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. Highland Council said it did not comment on individual cases. I am proud of our teams at Albyn who have made sure that families across the Highlands have been getting the support they need this winter. Highland Council to offer Fuel Support Fund grants for low income Fuel Support Payment - The Highland Council Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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. Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per. 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 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. 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. With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and 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. 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. Find out more in the video here: https://vimeo.com/777370114/eda07cc990, Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund. 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. For details on how to sign up for the programme visit Highland Councils dedicated webpage. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. Proposals to provide almost 3m to help households in fuel poverty in Highland this winter will be considered by members at the meeting of full Council on 9 December. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities http://ow.ly/30hl30rt90P Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty The significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. 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. Using COVID-19 funding from the Scottish Government, this non-repayable grant provides a 60 payment per household for those who have been awarded council tax reduction and are having difficulties paying their fuel bills. Highland Council and SSE Renewables to offer support to those facing 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.. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. 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. 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. 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. Fuel Support Fund | Grantown Grammar School 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. Councillor Margaret Davidson, council leader, 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. 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 good news is that we still have some funding left and we are very eager to make sure this gets to households in need. 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 funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. 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.. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. 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. Government launches 500m support for vulnerable households over winter Highland families bolstered by Albyn fuel fund The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland - The Highland Council 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. He added: One of the key issues we have faced to date is a lack of sign-ups for the scheme. More than 4,500 north households benefited in the first three weeks of the scheme, launched at the end of January. More than 3,000 people could miss out. 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Highland Council to offer Fuel Support Fund grants for low income Ross Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. (LogOut/ People on low incomes who are experiencing fuel insecurities can apply online for a 60 non-repayable cash payment per application which is made to eligible applicants. The programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. 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 and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. 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.. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Learn how your comment data is processed. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. 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. Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. 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. Highland Park, . The Highland Council The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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.