WINTER fuel support for around 1,300 elderly and vulnerable Inverclyde residents is on the way thanks to a new £600,000 council fund.

Members of Inverclyde Council’s policy and resources committee yesterday, Tuesday 19 November 2024, unanimously approved proposals to provide a one-off £200 payment to eligible older people who have low incomes.

The grants will be provided from a new £600k fuel poverty fund over the next two years.

Payments will be available to older residents who already receive certain benefits and will come off Council Tax bills.

Depute council leader, Councillor Natasha McGuire, who chaired the policy and resources committee, said: “With temperatures plummeting this week, this is a timely intervention to help older people during the harsh winter months and put some money back in their pockets.

“We have a proud record as a council of supporting the most vulnerable in society and in recent times have provided the likes of a one-off cost of living grant and established the Warm Hand of Friendship initiative, which has been extended for another three years.

“This new fuel poverty fund is another example of our commitment to helping those who need it the most during challenging times and enhancing our reputation as a caring and compassionate place for all.”

The local authority will use Council Tax Reduction and Housing Benefit records to identify pension age households that are not in receipt of one of the seven qualifying benefits; Child Tax Credit, ESA (Income Related), Income Support, JSA (Income Based), Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, Pension Credit Savings Credit, Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit.

Eligible residents will be contacted over the coming days.

The aim is to provide a credit to the 2024/25 Council Tax account before Christmas which will result in reductions in Council Tax instalments for the remainder of 2024/25 and free up household income to meet fuel bills.

The fund will also support pension age households who will not receive the government pension age winter fuel payment, who are exempt from paying Council tax due to all members of the household being categorised as ‘severely mentally impaired’.

The Pension Age Fuel Poverty Payment is for winter 2024 only but the proposal will be reviewed along with other available supports in the run-up to winter 2025.

Funding has been allocated from the council’s existing anti-poverty fund towards the new two-year fuel poverty fund.

The payment is in addition to the council’s Warm Hand of Friendship initiative which launched in 2022 and has been extended for another three years to support community groups with providing people with access to warm spaces and practical advice during the cold winter months.

People can find out more about the Pension Age Fuel Poverty Payment on the Inverclyde Council website at www.inverclyde.gov.uk/pensionagefuelpovertypayment

The committee report is also available on the council website at 19 November 2024 - Inverclyde Council and the meeting is available to watch on the Inverclyde Council YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIjr27wK4nw