Heating support fund open

A £4 million home heating support fund from the Scottish Government is in place to help those struggling to pay energy bills.

Last year, a poll found that nearly a third of Scots had rationed their energy use so they could afford to spend money on other goods and services.

And with recent price rises and a further steep increase in bills due in April, there are growing concerns about the impact on households.

The scheme, administered by Advice Direct Scotland, is designed to stop households falling into fuel poverty and help those“rationing”energy use to pay for other essentials.

Targeted funding will reflect on individual 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.

Households in Scotland can now apply and registrations can be made until March 31. Over 400 charities, advisers and organisations have already signed up as referral partners.

Applicants will need to provide evidence they received advice from an accredited debt or energy advice agency.

Households which are“off-supply”are not eligible and should seek help from their energy supplier or groups which can refer them to the Fuel Bank Foundation.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said:“We have already issued more than £1m on behalf of the Scottish Government to support Scots struggling with their energy bills.

“Our advisers are working hard to provide free advice to people across Scotland at this difficult time, and more and more referral partners are registering to help their clients as the cost-of-living crisis escalates.”

Applications can be made online.

Anyone struggling with the application can contact Advice Direct Scotland advisers free on 0808 800 9060, who can make applications on their behalf.