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. 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. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Low 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. 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. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. 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.. 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. 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. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. 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 said it did not comment on individual cases. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. 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. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. 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. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. 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. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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. 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. Premium content exclusive to our subscribers, About Us 275 Years of The Press and Journal, North mans nature walks helping scores of people find their feet, The fast times and short life of Glen Cottage Hostel in Torridon, Aberdeen City Council rates relief move could cause forced demolition of historic Union Street buildings, Plans to bring Mull village back to life move a step closer as eco pods arrive at new campsite, Brilliance in Bavaria when Aberdeen silenced Bayern Munich on road to Gothenburg, Controversial 3-bin change rolling out in Aberdeenshire from April, Aberdeen budget: Libraries to close, school meal costs to increase and council tax to rise in deplorable savings drive, From Scotland to Denmark: Aberdeenshire schoolgirls message in a bottle travels 440 miles, Review: Murder mystery The Mirror Crackd thrills Aberdeen fans, Aberdeen doctors life changed after cancer diagnosis and she now makes the most of every day, Inverness Kidical Mass: Cycling campaigners' world championship hopes, Loganair suspends Inverness flights to the islands due to industrial action, Climate change measures took cliff edge cuts in council budgets, warn Greens, Drink-driving Highland minister crashed car and kept going - despite only having three tyres, Meet Pip, the spaniel with a key role in restoring Inverness Castle, More than 100 Inverness passengers stuck in London after British Airways flight cancelled, Charity hopes to return beavers to Highland glen 400 years after they were driven, Kate Forbes pledges to get A9 dualled as quickly as possible if she becomes, Yellow weather warning for snow and ice issued for north and north-east, End of an era as new purpose approved for former Buccaneer jet site at, Friends locked up over rampage of violence in pubs that left five people injured, North Sea helicopter emergency lands at Sumburgh Airport in Shetland, Drink-driving Highland minister crashed car and kept going despite only having three tyres, Aberdeenshire village loses only Post Office as MP labels decision hammer blow, Unpaid work for man who had 199 indecent images of children, Stolen chips and insults as The Captains Table puts Fraserburgh spin on Karen Night, Nature Watch: Beavers, burrs, buzzards and blackbirds on River Earn walk, Winger Vicente Besuijen back at Aberdeen for injury assessment, Defender Mattie Pollock aims to use Aberdeen loan spell to prove he can shine, 'But he calls himself Asian': Racist tries to defend 'go back to your own, Rachel Corsie: Concerning time for women's international football ahead of the World Cup, Dragons' Den breathes fire into matcha drink - but what is it and who's. Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy bills. 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. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. Change). 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. 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. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were Under 18, a care leaver, receiving/providing care elsewhere, Severely Mentally ImpairedAND you are in receipt of one of the following qualifying benefits: If you require further help or advice regarding the 180 fuel support payment, please contact us by email fuelsupportpayment@highland.gov.uk. 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. 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. Cllr Davidson said: 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. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. 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. 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. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. Copyright SSE 2023. 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. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. For example, 62% of the properties currently signed up for the 2022/23 air source heat pump programme are classed as extreme fuel poor. The Highland Council letter, sent to over 16,000 eligible constituents, stated: To receive your 180 payment, you must complete our online form.. 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). Our welfare staff have been working tirelessly to do their absolute best for our communities and will continue to do so.. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. 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. 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. 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. However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. 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.. All rights reserved. Low . At the end of October, the Scottish Government announced a 41 million Winter Support Fund for low-income families which includes 10m nationally to help those struggling to pay their fuel bills. nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. 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. 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. Low income . Highland Park, . Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel 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. 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. 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. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. 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. 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. He added: One of the key issues we have faced to date is a lack of sign-ups for the scheme. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Robbie Deas: Caley Thistle boss Billy Dodds 'one of the best' managers I've had, Yvie Burnett gets cosy in Scandinavia and does a voiceover in Cologne, SHINTY SPOTLIGHT: 10 questions for Kingussie full-back/wing-back Eoin Baikie, Brenda Page murder accused denies he is Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde character, Meet Pip, the spaniel with a key role in restoring Inverness Castle, Concerns over future of Aberdeenshire maternity on day 6m boost handed to Moray, Big Interview: Iona Fyfe talks about Doric, being trolled on Twitter and returning to her musical roots, Gallery: Your photos from World Book Day 2023, Scottish minister Lorna Slater warns companies to sign up for 'carnage' recycling scheme deadline, Nicola Sturgeons government has failed north and north-east, admits SNP leadership hopeful Ash Regan, Aberdeen Beach Leisure Centre and Bucksburn Swimming Pool to CLOSE after 700,000 cut, Aberdeen budget exclusive: City centre business rates exemption zone plans revealed, Deposit return scheme: 'It's not going to be perfect on day one', but we're sticking to August launch says boss, Aberdeen budget: Libraries to close, school meal costs to increase and council tax to rise in 'deplorable' savings drive, One of the giants: CNR to shut down Ninian oilfield in 'challenging' market, Highlands SNP veteran Fergus Ewing backs Kate Forbes in leadership race, Aberdeen budget: Crime writer Stuart MacBride says closing six libraries 'impoverishes chunks of city', Terms and Conditions for Subscriptions (excluding Home News Delivery Subscriptions), Evening Express and Press and Journal combined site.