Stuart McMillan MSP has welcomed figures which show that over a quarter of a million pounds has been paid out to support people in his Greenock and Inverclyde constituency with their energy bills.
Statistics from Advice Direct Scotland’s online portal show that over the past 36 months, 453 applications from Inverclyde have been made to their Home Heating Support Fund, with an average funding award of £797 – meaning that a total of £261,325 has been provided to support local households.
Advice Direct Scotland administers the Home Heating Support Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government who set up this new fund in response to rising energy bills. It is aimed at households with fuel debts or who are rationing their energy use out of fear for how much it will cost them.
Applicants can apply online themselves at homeheatingadvice.scot or by referral from a registered referral partner as per the list on the website.
Applicants can also phone Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060 where they will be given money advice before any potential funding award is considered, in the hopes that this will help prevent the applicant from going into debt in the future.
Ahead of what looks to be another tough winter, the local SNP MSP is encouraging his constituents to apply for the fund if they are eligible.
Commenting, Stuart said:
“The Scottish Government set up the Home Heating Support Fund as another means of helping people who’re struggling to pay their energy bills or who are rationing their energy use for fear of not being able to afford their bills.
“The Home Heating Support Fund can send a payment directly to your supplier or give you an energy voucher that you can use to pay your bills, and you can get this help even if you use a pre-payment meter, a credit meter, a district heating network or unregulated fuels.
“Unlike other types of support like the Winter Heating Payment, the Home Heating Support Fund provides each applicant with exactly how much money they need – whether that’s £300 to tide them over or £600 to clear fuel debt. The application process is therefore quite thorough but it’s so they can assess exactly how much each person needs.
“With the average funding award over the past three years being nearly £800, it’s clear that this Fund is making a meaningful impact to people who’re struggling during this cost of living crisis.
“The main criteria are being in debt to your energy supplier or rationing your heating, but if you receive certain benefits, are elderly or have a disability or serious health condition, you may be eligible for a top-up amount also.
“I’d therefore encourage my constituents who’re living in fuel poverty to apply to the Home Heating Support Fund sooner rather than later. The current funding pot runs until March 2024 but if the money is spent before then, then it will have to close early – so please, don’t wait, apply now to see if you’re eligible. Call 0808 800 9060 or visit homeheatingadvice.scot for more information.”
