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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. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. 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. 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. 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. Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. 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. 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. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. We had contact with one mum who had been very distressed about the cost of energy and providing for her children. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. 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. 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 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. 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. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. Scottish Government figures indicate 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24%. Mr Reiss said: The energy expertise within Citizens Advice means that help available for individual households is identified and accessed. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. 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.. 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. Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community. The scheme has this week received vital grant support from SSE Renewables Highland Sustainable Development Fund, which will provide additional funds to reduce or remove entirely householder contributions for those in extreme fuel poverty. (LogOut/ 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 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. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. In some cases, the energy bill vouchers have been allowing families to pay off their debts. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their 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 funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. The scheme will also remain open for new applications to ensure that this support can still be accessed.. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. 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. The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a range of energy efficiency measures including: While the programme adopts a fabric first approach, the 2022/23 programme has a particular focus on installation of air source heat pumps and also encouraging householders to consider Cavity Wall, Loft Insulation and solar panels and battery storage. 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. Low 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. 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 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. 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 funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. Homes at Craig Road in Dingwall managed by Albyn Housing Society. All rights reserved. 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.. Signing-up gives you the following: Single sign on for all council services (not including eplanning) Save forms for completion later. The Highland Council letter, sent to over 16,000 eligible constituents, stated: To receive your 180 payment, you must complete our online form.. 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.. Mr Stone quizzed local authority officials after a constituent without access to a computer or smartphone had to ask a neighbour for assistance. Proposals to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter will be considered by councillors on Thursday. 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 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. All Rights Reserved. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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 programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. 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. Tenants can access this fund by emailing [email protected] or by speaking to their housing officer. 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. 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 EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . 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. 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 significant recent increases in fuel prices will place even greater pressures on an increased number of Highland residents. 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 funding will help many vulnerable residents benefit from warm, sustainable homes for years to come.". This site uses cookies. 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. The fuel support scheme was launched in the latter part of January last year. 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. 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. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. This site uses cookies. 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 good news is that we still have some funding left and we are very eager to make sure this gets to households in need. 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. 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. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. Highland Park, . 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. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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. 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. 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. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. 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. (LogOut/ Automatically populate forms with your details. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. More than 3,000 people could miss out. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. 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.. 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. Low . 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. However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. You can also get further advice about Welfare. 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. Low income . As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. More than 4,500 north households benefited in the first three weeks of the scheme, launched at the end of January. 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. Low income . 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The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. (LogOut/ George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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