Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. All Rights Reserved. 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.. Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. 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 4,500 north households benefited in the first three weeks of the scheme, launched at the end of January. 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.. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. 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. 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. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. 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. | Images submitted. However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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. 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. 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 Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. Low income . 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. Enquire through our Energy Efficient Scotland pagefor more information. All Rights Reserved. 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. Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. For details on how to sign up for the programme visit Highland Councils dedicated webpage. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities. 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: One of the key issues we have faced to date is a lack of sign-ups for the scheme. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. 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. 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. 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. 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. Proposals to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter will be considered by councillors on Thursday. 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 quizzed local authority officials after a constituent without access to a computer or smartphone had to ask a neighbour for assistance. 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. 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. Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. This is where the SSE Renewables Grant can help those experiencing extreme fuel poverty. 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. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. 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 . Highland Council's fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. The Scottish Government grant is available for owner occupiers and private rented properties subject to eligibility (see table below), grant funding cannot be used to cover installation costs for social properties (either Council or Registered Landlord). Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. Full details including online application https://www.highland.gov.uk . Change). 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. 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.. 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.. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands 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. 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. 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. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. 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The Highland Council letter, sent to over 16,000 eligible constituents, stated: To receive your 180 payment, you must complete our online form.. 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. People on low incomes who are experiencing fuel insecurities can apply online atwww.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund for a 60 non-repayable cash payment per application which is made to eligible applicants. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities. The SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. (LogOut/ 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. Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. 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. 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. 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. Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. 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.. 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. The 270,000. 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. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. 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. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. An outline of 1.4 miles of Green Bay Road in Highland Park that is set for an overhaul beginning in 2024 or 2025. 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. 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.