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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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. Fuel Support Fund | Grantown Grammar School 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. 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. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. 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. 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. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. 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. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. 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 to consider support for households living in fuel poverty Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. 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. 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. 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. Scottish Government figures indicate 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24%. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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 and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. 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. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their All Rights Reserved. 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 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. Change). This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. 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. In the longer term, this dire situation clearly demonstrates the pressing need for a UK wide, strategic review of our energy supply, market and infrastructure., Depute Leader Alasdair Christie added: Living with fuel poverty has far reaching impacts, particularly on health and wellbeing, as well as learning, employment and social networks. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. 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 part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. Proposals to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter will be considered by councillors on Thursday. The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. 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. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. 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. 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. 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. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . 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. It is clear to us that this fund is making a real difference. More than 4,500 north households benefited in the first three weeks of the scheme, launched at the end of January. 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. 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.. More than 3,000 people could miss out. 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 and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. The fuel support scheme was launched in the latter part of January last year. Low income . On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. 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. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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. 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. 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. 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 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. At a full council meeting on Friday,. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. This site uses cookies. Highland Council Fuel Support Fund | Farr Primary School 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 (FSF) has been set up by the council using Scottish Government money which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial 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. An outline of 1.4 miles of Green Bay Road in Highland Park that is set for an overhaul beginning in 2024 or 2025. Copyright SSE 2023. 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.. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities. 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 help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.". 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. Figures also estimate that 22% of Highland households are facing extreme fuel poverty. Highland households in extreme fuel poverty to benefit from new fund Our welfare staff have been working tirelessly to do their absolute best for our communities and will continue to do so.. Mr Stone quizzed local authority officials after a constituent without access to a computer or smartphone had to ask a neighbour for assistance. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Highland Council to consider support for households living in fuel I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. 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. Fuel Support Fund | Duncan Forbes Primary 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Highland Council Fuel Support Fund | Obsdale Primary School 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.. Enquire through our Energy Efficient Scotland pagefor more information. Fuel Support Fund for low income - The Highland Council | Facebook 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. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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 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. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. 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. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. Fuel Support Fund - Highland Third Sector Interface | Facebook 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. Thousands of vulnerable people in the north could miss out on cash support to ease the impact of soaring fuel bills after the local authority insisted applications be made online. Highland Council - Fuel Support Fund - Cawdor Primary School 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. 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. More than 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. 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's fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per household to help those who have been awarded council tax reduction and are having difficulties paying their fuel bills. 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.. 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. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. Tenants can access this fund by emailing energyfund@albynhousing.org.uk or by speaking to their housing officer. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. Highland Council to offer Fuel Support Fund grants for low income Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. Thousands could lose out on cash over Highland Council digital demand Highland Park, . The 270,000. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . 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 welfare team have now processed over 86% of eligible people and are continuing to support the remaining households to provide the relevant details to enable the funds to be paid.