The SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. 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.. 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. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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. 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. 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. Change). Enquire through our Energy Efficient Scotland pagefor more information. 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. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . We had contact with one mum who had been very distressed about the cost of energy and providing for her children. 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 council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. 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. Draught proofing kits, carpets, and thermal curtains and door fittings have been provided to help keep homes warm. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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 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. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. More than 4,500 north households benefited in the first three weeks of the scheme, launched at the end of January. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. 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 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 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. 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. 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.. 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. 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. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. Signing-up gives you the following: Single sign on for all council services (not including eplanning) Save forms for completion later. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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.. 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. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. 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. If you require further help or advice regarding the 180 fuel support payment, please contact us by email fuelsupportpayment@highland.gov.uk. Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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 funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. 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. 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. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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. 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. It is clear to us that this fund is making a real difference. 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. Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community. Low income . George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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. Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. 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. 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. 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. 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. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities. 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. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. Low income . 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. 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. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy 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. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. 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. All Rights Reserved. Council leader Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. 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. 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. The new Household Support Fund will support millions of households in England and will be distributed by councils in England, who know their local areas best and can directly help those who. 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. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. 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. 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. | Images submitted. 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. An outline of 1.4 miles of Green Bay Road in Highland Park that is set for an overhaul beginning in 2024 or 2025. 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 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. 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. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. 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