We had contact with one mum who had been very distressed about the cost of energy and providing for her children. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. The funding has a discretionary element, enabling the council to make grants in some other circumstances. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. 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. Government launches 500m support for vulnerable households over winter 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 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. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. Highland Council Fuel Support Fund | Obsdale Primary School (LogOut/ Learn how your comment data is processed. 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CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those 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 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. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. Highland Council and SSE Renewables team up to offer support to those facing extreme fuel poverty02 Dec 2022. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. Mr Stone quizzed local authority officials after a constituent without access to a computer or smartphone had to ask a neighbour for assistance. An outline of 1.4 miles of Green Bay Road in Highland Park that is set for an overhaul beginning in 2024 or 2025. 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. For details on how to sign up for the programme visit Highland Councils dedicated webpage. 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. 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. 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.. Highland households in extreme fuel poverty to benefit from new fund People on low incomes who are experiencing fuel insecurities can apply online for a 60 non-repayable cash payment per application which is made to eligible applicants. 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. 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.. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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 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. 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. Highland Park residents react to newest concept for renovation, bike 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.. 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. You can also get further advice about Welfare. 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. 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. 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. Low income . Highland Council is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. The programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. 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 income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. Low 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. Signing-up gives you the following: Single sign on for all council services (not including eplanning) Save forms for completion later. Highland Council Fuel Support Fund | Farr Primary School Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. All rights reserved. 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). George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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. 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. Highland Council announces fuel support fund for low income households As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. 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. 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. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. Highland Council to offer Fuel Support Fund grants for low income | Images submitted. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. 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. Our welfare staff have been working tirelessly to do their absolute best for our communities and will continue to do so.. 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. Leader of Highland Council, Cllr Raymond Bremner said: Highland is experiencing some of the highest levels of fuel poverty in Scotland. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Highland Council and SSE Renewables to offer support to those facing 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. The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . 2023- Highland News and Media Ltd. All rights reserved.