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. 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.. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. More than 3,000 people could miss out. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. 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 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). Fuel Support Fund | Milton of Leys Primary School Highland Council and SSE Renewables to offer support to those facing For details on how to sign up for the programme visit Highland Councils dedicated webpage. 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.. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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. 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.. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. 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. Change). The SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. 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. (LogOut/ The funding will help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.". Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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 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. 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. 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. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. 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. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. 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 Support Fund | Duncan Forbes Primary School We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. The low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. 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. 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. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. With just two days until the deadline, only 81% of eligible householders have claimed the payment. 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. The programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. Highland Council to pay 180 towards heating bills this winter Council leader 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 has been set up by the Council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. For example, 62% of the properties currently signed up for the 2022/23 air source heat pump programme are classed as extreme fuel poor. Draught proofing kits, carpets, and thermal curtains and door fittings have been provided to help keep homes warm. 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. Our welfare staff have been working tirelessly to do their absolute best for our communities and will continue to do so.. 3 million approved by Highland Council to help those in fuel poverty 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. You have received a letter from the Highland Council to advise of your possible entitlement AND on 30 November 2021, you were in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. 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. 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. 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. Highland Families Bolstered by Albyn Fuel Fund 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. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. Highland Council to offer Fuel Support Fund grants for low income Ross 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. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. 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. 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 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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