Inverness winter payments scheme opens for applications via Highland Council
Highland Council is accepting applications for its annual Inverness winter payments scheme where people on low income can apply for a one-off payment of £111.
It is designed to help them with their winter fuel bills.
The council’s Inverness city leader Ian Brown said: “If you live in the Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness West, Inverness Central, Inverness Ness-side, Inverness Millburn, Culloden and Ardersier and Inverness South wards you may be entitled to financial support during winter when extra fuel is needed to keep homes warm.
“The City of Inverness Area Committee winter payments scheme is designed to help people who are most in need and I encourage anyone who meets the eligibility criteria to apply for and claim the one-off winter payment that they are entitled to. The scheme is aimed at anyone on low income of all ages and not just pensioners.”
Residents are eligible if aged 90 or older on or before February 28, 2025 irrespective of savings; or receive a Scottish Welfare Fund Crisis Grant Payment between December 1, 2024 and February 28, 2025; receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit); have a child/children under the age of five and you must be in receipt of income support; income-based jobseekers allowance; Universal Credit; or income-based employment and support allowance; in receipt of incapacity benefit.
The applicant must also have someone who lives in their household who is receiving: attendance allowance or pension age disability payment; middle or high rate disability living allowance/child disability payment (care component); war widow’s or war widower’s pension; personal independence payment (daily-living component); adult disability payment (daily-living component); armed forces independence payment.
In addition, applicants must be able to confirm that there are no residents in the household in receipt of a wage either now or in the previous calendar month or with capital in excess of £6000.
Application forms are available: from Inverness Town House Service Point; by phoning the council’s welfare support team on 0800 090 1004; by contacting local Citizens Advice Bureau; or online at www.highland.gov.uk/invernesswinterfuel
The deadline for return of application forms is February 28, 2025.
Application Forms should be returned by post to: The Highland Council, FREEPOST RRXJ-GGJX-CRYR, PO Box 5650, Inverness, IV3 5NX.
The Inverness Winter Payments Scheme is fully funded by the Inverness Common Fund.
