The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. 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 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.. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. 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. Council leader Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities http://ow.ly/30hl30rt90P More than 900 households have also taken up the option of a home energy health check from their local Citizens Advice. The 270,000 Fuel Support Fund (FSF) has been set up by the council using Scottish Government money which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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.. 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. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland - The Highland Council (LogOut/ 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. Fuel Support Fund | Grantown Grammar School 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. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 090 1004 or by e-mailwelfare.support@highland.gov.uk. 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. 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. Full details including online application https://www.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. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. 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 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. 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Getting in touch with the Welfare Support Team is the first step to maximising your potential income and managing your money well. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. 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. Fuel support fund - Nairn Academy 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 is proposing to use an allocation from this fund together with 2m from reserves in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by Highland . Fuel Support Fund - Highland Third Sector Interface | Facebook By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. Enquire through our Energy Efficient Scotland pagefor more information. 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. 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. Households are advised to contact their energy supplier to check eligibility. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. 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. Councillor Davidson added: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. Highland Park residents react to newest concept for renovation, bike 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. 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. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. 3 million approved by Highland Council to help those in fuel poverty 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. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. 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. More than 200 warm winter duvets have also been distributed. 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. 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.. Copyright SSE 2023. George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? At a full council meeting on Friday,. 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. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson added Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. The programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. 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Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those Cllr Bremner also highlighted that the scheme is open to all owner occupier and privately rented properties who meet eligibility criteria and encouraged members of the public to make inquiries about the scheme. 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. However, a portion of the fund is helping those who are most in need, regardless of their housing situation. For example, 62% of the properties currently signed up for the 2022/23 air source heat pump programme are classed as extreme fuel poor. 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. 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. 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. Highland Council to pay 180 towards heating bills this winter 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. In some cases, the energy bill vouchers have been allowing families to pay off their debts. 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account.