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. Due to rising costs in energy prices, it is anticipated that these figures will increase significantly. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. But the answer cannot be to make it harder for people to claim the support they are entitled to.. For details on how to sign up for the programme visit Highland Councils dedicated webpage. 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. 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 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). More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their 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. SSE re-invest part of the profits from wind farms back into local communities. Highland Council has unanimously agreed to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter. 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. 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. 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. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. 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.. All Rights Reserved. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. 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. nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism. Kirsty Morrison, group chief executive of Albyn Housing Society, said: Feedback from tenants about the Fuel Support Fund has been great so far. 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. Low income households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. The programme, on average, has annual carbon savings of 20,897 tonnes (pre-COVID figure), making a significant contribution to a low carbon Highland. Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. 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. 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.. 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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. They can be contacted by phone on 0800 090 1004 or by e-mailwelfare.support@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. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. 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. Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. 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. Applications for a directFuel Support Payment are now closed. More than 3,000 people could miss out. (LogOut/ The funding comes from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations who are administering the 2 million fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. 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.. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities http://ow.ly/30hl30rt90P George Mitchell: Should we have the right to die? 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. Low income . 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. Council officials responded: Due to the difficult situation many of our customers currently find themselves in, our welfare team are already working at full capacity to manage the volume of referrals they receive. 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 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. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. 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. The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . Albyn Housing Society have been using the contact with tenants to highlight other sources of support too, including those provided by the Highland Council and their local Citizens Advice Bureau. Copyright SSE 2023. 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Automatically populate forms with your details. The Highland Council letter, sent to over 16,000 eligible constituents, stated: To receive your 180 payment, you must complete our online form.. 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. An outline of 1.4 miles of Green Bay Road in Highland Park that is set for an overhaul beginning in 2024 or 2025. 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. 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. 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. Low income . 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. Council to consider support for households living in fuel poverty, www.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotland. All rights reserved. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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. CAB Energy Advisers can be contacted on 01463 237664. We will do our best to provide you with the support you need.. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. The SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. 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. 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Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy bills. 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 270,000. At a time when bills are skyrocketing, we cannot delay getting this money into the hands of those who need it most.. 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 households within Highland experiencing fuel insecurities can apply for a non-repayable 60 grant. Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. Highland Council has been delivering the Scottish Governments Energy Efficiency Scotland Area Based Scheme for over nine years, which offers households the opportunity to benefit from grant funded innovative, energy efficiency measures, which have the potential to improve peoples living conditions. 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Support has been prioritised for those living in homes with the lowest energy rating. 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 . The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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. This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. This site uses cookies. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. 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. Using Covid-19 funding from the Scottish Government the council can make a 60 grant per. 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. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 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 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.. If you require further help or advice regarding the 180 fuel support payment, please contact us by email fuelsupportpayment@highland.gov.uk. With just two days until the deadline, only 81% of eligible householders have claimed the payment. Highland Councils fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. 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. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson added Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. Council leader Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. 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. Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross MP Jamie Stone accused Highland Council of wilful digital exclusion over recent letters sent out to residents inviting them to claim a 180 Fuel Support Payment. This is where the SSE Renewables Grant can help those experiencing extreme fuel poverty. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. Councillor Margaret Davidson, council leader, said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities.
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