Providing more help for those in need

In the winter of 2020 the Scottish Government established the Fuel Insecurity Fund, working with trusted third sector partners to deliver direct emergency funds to people struggling to pay their energy bills.  The fund is there to support households on any fuel type who are at risk of self-disconnection or self-rationing their energy use.

The First Minister announced in March that the Fuel Insecurity Fund will be tripled to £30 million this year, with a view to bringing support to those who need it most.

This includes £5 million for one-to-one mentoring for households to be provided by a new funding partner, The Wise Group, as part of a longer term approach to tackling poverty and it’s causes.

Households will also be helped through additional funding being directed to existing delivery partners, including:

• £9 million to enable Advice Direct Scotland to administer Home Heating Support Fund grants to those struggling with the rapid increase in gas, electricity and oil prices
• £8.5 million for the Fuel Bank Foundation to rapidly support more than 85,000 households, including those with prepayment meters and at risk of imminent disconnection
• £7.25 million to enable the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to provide more than 55,000 households across Scotland with advice, support with bills and energy – saving items.

Landlords whose tenants are struggling with energy bills can refer their tenants to the current delivery partners for the fund who are:

• Fuel Bank Foundation
• Advice Direct Scotland – tel: 0808 196 8660
• Scottish Federation of Housing Associations – tel: 0141 332 8113

Further details of the Fuel Insecurity Fund and the Scottish Government’s policy on Home energy and fuel poverty can be found online here.