Households in Scotland struggling to pay their energy bills have been urged to apply for a new Scottish Government support scheme.
The Home Heating Support Fund is available to people who need help with soaring heating costs.
Those who are cutting back on their fuel use to pay for essential items such as food are encouraged to seek out help from Advice Direct Scotland.
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People applying for the fund will need to provide evidence that they have received advice from an accredited debt or energy advice agency.
Registrations for help can be made until the end of March, and more than 400 charities, organisations and advisers have already signed up as ‘referral partners’ so they can make applications on behalf of their clients.
This will remain the best way for most people to access support, though for households which have not already applied via a referral partner and have basic digital skills, an online application can be made which requires evidence of energy bills and proof of financial difficulties.
This form can be found on the Home Heating Advice website here, and anybody who finds themselves struggling with the application is encouraged to contact Advice Direct Scotland advisers for free on 0808 800 9060.
Targeted funding from the Home Heating Support Fund will reflect each individual’s circumstances, with extra support available for households where one person is over 75, living with a disability or illness, and/or living in a remote or island community.
Eligibility is based on households which are ‘self-rationing’ their energy, meaning those who are deliberately limiting their energy use so that they can afford to spend money on other essentials.
Payments can be for electricity, oil, gas, LPG, coal or other forms of heating, and are made directly to the supplier.
Housing Secretary Shona Robison said: “We want everyone to have a safe and warm place to call home.
“We are acutely aware that energy price rises are causing many people to worry about their bills. This year through our Fuel Insecurity Fund, we have made £10million available to households struggling with their energy costs.
“We are working with Advice Direct Scotland to ensure that households can access the support they need.
“As part of a wider package of funding designed to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, in 2022/23 we have committed a further £10million to continue our Fuel Insecurity Fund to help households at risk of self-disconnection, or self-rationing their energy use, due to unaffordable fuel costs.”
Chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland Andrew Bartlett said: “We have already issued more than £1million through the Home Heating Support Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government to support Scots struggling with their energy bills.
“More and more referral partners are registering to help their clients as the cost-of-living crisis escalates.
“And we’re pleased that we can now make it possible for direct household applications via an online form.
“This fund is making a massive difference for Scots who are facing huge debts and are being forced to cut back on essentials to heat their homes."
He continued: “Our advisers are working hard to provide free advice to people across Scotland at this difficult time for so many.” said:
“We have already issued more than £1million through the Home Heating Support Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government to support Scots struggling with their energy bills.
“More and more referral partners are registering to help their clients as the cost-of-living crisis escalates.
“And we’re pleased that we can now make it possible for direct household applications via an online form.
“This fund is making a massive difference for Scots who are facing huge debts and are being forced to cut back on essentials to heat their homes.
“Our advisers are working hard to provide free advice to people across Scotland at this difficult time for so many.”
More information on the Home Heating Support Fund and how to apply is available here.
