Highland Council agrees winter fuel and cost-of-living support for eligible residents in wider Inverness area
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Winter fuel and cost-of-living support for those most at need will continue into next year after councillors agreed funding.
Members of Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee have agreed to provide a Winter Discretionary Payments Scheme for eligible people in the wider Inverness area for 2023/24. Last year's saw almost 1700 households receive support.
The cash, which will come to £106 for each eligible applicant this winter, is coming from the Inverness Common Good Fund, which can only be used to principally benefit people living within the geographic area of the former Burgh of Inverness.
The scheme will be available to eligible people within the seven specified Inverness Wards of Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness West, Inverness Central, Inverness Ness-side, Inverness Millburn, Culloden and Ardersier and Inverness South.
Leader of Inverness and Area, Councillor Ian Brown, said: “Last year in 2022/23, 1694 households received payments from the Inverness Area Winter Payments Scheme. These payments, and other packages of financial support are a lifeline for many individuals.
“The Winter Payment of £106 for those eligible will have a positive impact on individuals struggling financially and to people receiving disability benefits, who are also more likely to be negatively impacted by increased costs of living.”
Applications will open and be accepted from December 1 to February 29 inclusive.
Last winter the fund came to £150 per eligible applicant instead of £106, but the council explained that this was a one-off increase which was agreed due to an underspend in the common good that year.
However, this year's payment could rise later this year after councillors agreed to a motion by Cllr David Clegg to revisit the scheme in November, which read: “This committee agrees to re-review the Inverness Winter Payment Scheme at its meeting in November 20 to look at repurposing any underspend in the Inverness Common Good Fund into an increased payment award for the Inverness Winter Payment Scheme as done in the previous two years.”
Those seeking advice about their finances can also consult the council's "Worrying About Money?" guide, which covers information for people waiting for claims to be assessed as well as those already receiving benefits.
Topics including advice on what to do if anyone finds themselves having a sudden loss of income or if their statutory sick pay does not cover their living expenses. There is also information on how to apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund, maximising income and benefit advice, debt advice and how to challenge a decision.
Alternatively, The Welfare Support Team provide free, impartial and confidential support to claim all benefits and entitlements. Contact the Welfare Support Team by: phone 0800 090 1004 or; email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk
