Find out more in the video here: https://vimeo.com/777370114/eda07cc990, Chair of the Sustainable Development Fund. As part of the scheme, more than 300 households have been provided with 230 or more towards their energy bills. The Cost-of-Living Crisis is having a devastating impact on households across Highland. More than 3,000 people could miss out. 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. The 1 million investment in improving energy efficiency for Highland households is the largest donation made by the fund. More than 4,500 north households benefited in the first three weeks of the scheme, launched at the end of January. 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. 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. Highland Park, . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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 is set to receive an allocation from this fund in order to mitigate the fuel challenges faced by residents in the region. A spokesman said: The Fuel Support Fund was established at the councils discretion using around 1m from the Scottish Governments Winter Support Fund and 2.24m from the councils reserves, to help mitigate the impacts of significant energy price and cost of living increases for hard pressed Highland residents. Enquire throughwww.highland.gov.uk/energyefficientscotlandfor more information. 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At a full council meeting on Friday,. Fuel Support Fund for low income Highland households experiencing fuel insecurities http://ow.ly/30hl30rt90P This includes energy switching, reducing fuel bills and obtaining grants to improve the fuel efficiency of individual homes.. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. 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. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. 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. 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty compared to the national average of 24% and 22% of all households in Highland are facing extreme fuel poverty, which is nearly double the national average, at 12%. Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery (LACER) Fund, Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. 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. 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. Could you spare five minutes of your time to complete our survey, it will help us improve customer experience. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. 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. Change). Councillor Matthew Reiss, vice chairman of the councils corporate resources committee, said 5,400 applications had been received in total. Council leader Councillor Margaret Davidson said: "Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. It is clear to us that this fund is making a real difference. 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. 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. Mr Stone said that three days before the councils deadline of February 13, just 81% of eligible people had applied for the funding. (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. Cllr Davidson said: Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. 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Scottish Government figures indicate 33% of households in Highland are experiencing fuel poverty, compared to the national average of 24%. 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. Sign-up to Scotland's myaccount so you can pay for council services online and report things to us. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood, https://www.highland.gov.uk/fuelsupportfund. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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. Low income . The SSE Renewable fund is part of the organisations commitment to the Scottish Governments Good Practice Principals for Community Benefits from Onshore Wind. 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. I would encourage anyone affected by the stark choices of heating or eating, to seek help and support for a number of providers.. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. Signing-up gives you the following: Single sign on for all council services (not including eplanning) Save forms for completion later. The EES:ABS grant and new funding will be used to reduce/remove household contributions on a . 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. More than 85,000 worth of vouchers and equipment have been distributed to families across the area, helping their tenants to reduce their 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. 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 fuel support scheme was launched in the latter part of January last year. To help tenants reduce their overall energy usage, almost 90 energy saving cooking appliances have been distributed. 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. All rights reserved. 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 270,000. 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. 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With inflation threatening to spiral out of control and fuel bills. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on February 28. 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. On 26 January 2022, you had a personal exemption from Council Tax on the grounds that you were a student. 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. 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. 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. 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. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Margaret Davidson added Working from home has increased the financial pressures for many of our households. 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. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies -. 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. Scottish Housing News is your daily service for the latest news, jobs and events, delivered directly to your email inbox. Proposals to provide almost 3 million to help households in fuel poverty in the Highlands this winter will be considered by councillors on Thursday. To enable payments to be made to all those eligible, it has been necessary to collect details from some households. A payment of 180 will now be made to around 16,440 eligible Highland households where residents are in receipt of means-tested 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.. Highland Council and SSE Renewables are joining forces to help Highland households facing extreme fuel poverty make energy saving adaptations to their homes. 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. (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. 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. 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 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. As this is a cash-limited fund, the Scheme will close on 28 February 2021. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. The council will automatically make the March payments, increasing the total grant payment to 120. | Images submitted. 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. This included air fryers, slow cookers, microwaves and energy efficient kettles. 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. 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. 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. Aberdeen Journals Ltd 2023. 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. Crisis Grants for fuel support are already available via the Scottish Welfare Fund for those in crisis. We had contact with one mum who had been very distressed about the cost of energy and providing for her children. 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. 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 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. Scottish households can now apply directly to a 4 million Scottish Government fund to help them with soaring energy bills. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. This comes in addition to other support mechanisms, such as the 400 discount to energy bills from the UK Government over the winter months. 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 has been set up by the Council using Scottish Government funding which can be used flexibly to alleviate financial insecurities. The funding will be used exclusively to support Highland households in extreme fuel poverty. 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 low energy cooking solutions have been really popular, helping households to have a hot meal at a lower cost. Highland Council's fuel support fund is to be extended until March, councillors have agreed. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. All Rights Reserved. This site uses cookies. 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 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. 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. Click here to sign up to our curated newsletters. 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. He added: One of the key issues we have faced to date is a lack of sign-ups for the scheme. 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. Warm Home Discounts equivalent to 140 per annum off household energy bills are available from some energy suppliers for those on low income. 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. Without EES:ABS there is currently no other long-term support to households in fuel poverty and those vulnerable to living with the effects of a cold home. 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. A link has been emailed to you - check your inbox. Leader of The Highland Council Cllr Margaret Davidson said: Sadly, as a result of Covid-19, an increasing number of households in Highland are experiencing fuel insecurities. 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. jessica camilleri photos, paula deen holiday baking championship 2021, orlando timeshare promotions 5 nights,