Tackling Fuel Poverty
Dumfries and Galloway Council and all our partners are committed to tackling fuel poverty within our region, along with all other forms of poverty.
Fuel poverty is where a household cannot afford to heat their home to an adequate temperature. The Fuel Poverty Act (2019) States that a household may be defined as being in fuel poverty if more than 10% of its net income is required to pay for fuel costs and where the remaining net income is insufficient to maintain an acceptable standard of living.
Available Support
There are a range of support mechanisms and organisations available to help anyone who is struggling to heat their home and may be worried about the future costs and how to cover these for the rest of the winter months:
Funding
Emergency Energy Payment Assistance Programme
Our Council have once again allocated £100,000 of funding to support older and vulnerable residents who are struggling to pay their home energy bills at this time. For more information on this Project, please click on the link below:
The Scottish Government-Additional Winter Payments
Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible to receive additional benefits during the winter months. Details on the various payments and schemes available can all be accessed through the Scottish Government website:
Information and assistance
Dumfries and Galloways Citizens Advice Service
The services specialist advisors provide assistance and advice on fuel poverty as well as many other situations individuals and families may face, they offer:
- support to those at risk of fuel poverty
- support to tenants of private rental accommodation at risk of fuel poverty
- support to those in short term homeless accommodation or in refuge facilities at risk of fuel poverty
- help in significantly reducing utility bills and ensuring that you can access lower monthly bills moving forward
- provide benefit advice and financial assessment which may help towards making fuel payments
- advise which benefits you and your family may be eligible for
- help you to maximise your income
- assist you in completing forms.
Call: 0300 303 4321
Website: Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service
Home Energy Scotland
Home Energy Scotland is an advice service funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Energy Saving Trust. People living in Scotland can get advice about:
- creating a warmer, more energy efficient home
- reducing energy bills
- exploring greener energy options like home renewable
- greener travel options like electric bikes and cars
- financial support for all of the above, including grants and 0% loans
Call: 0808 808 2282 or complete an online contact form .
Smart Meters and Tackling Fuel Poverty
Many people are paying more for their gas and electricity than they need to, leaving them with very little money to spend on other things. Smart Meters have the potential to help by:
- No more estimated bills, all your readings are sent automatically to your supplier
- You can keep an eye on your energy usage, displayed in pounds and pence. Which is very useful when you are inside more often using more energy
- You can set personalised budgets
- It is easier to top up your prepaid meter as you can do it online, or over the phone
- People who have a smart meter potentially have the chance to access the cheaper tariffs on the market to give some relief to the continuing high costs of energy
If you think yourself or a member of your family could benefit from a Smart Meter, contact Dumfries and Galloway Citizen Advice Service:
Call: 0300 303 4321 or complete an online enquiry form
Contact us
Our Benefit Advice and Financial Assessments Team can support residents over 60 years of age in completing a benefits overview, which may help to cover fuel bills.The team can advise you which benefits you and your family may be eligible for and maximise your income. They can give you more information and help you fill in forms:
Call: 030 33 33 3008
Email: fiatreferrals@dumgal.gov.uk
If you have any additional queries in relation to fuel poverty or any type of poverty, please contact our Tackling Poverty and Inequalities Team:
Call: 0791 743 2059
Email: ChallengePoverty@dumgal.gov.uk
