FUEL SUPPORT FOR HOUSEHOLDS

The scheme aims to support households facing increased costs of oil or LPG for heating.

More information is available on the website homeheatingadvice.scot, which went live on Tuesday, 31 March.

Applications opened online on Wednesday, 1 April, or households can call 0800 048 7413 for assistance.

Payment will be made directly to the supplier wherever possible.

Eligibility

To qualify for a payment, you must meet the following criteria:
• You are the bill payer in a home for which the primary heating fuel is oil or liquid petroleum gas (LPG).
• The home is your only or main residence.
• You have purchased fuel after 1 April 2026 or are planning to make an order shortly.
• No award has been made to the same household at the same address in the last three calendar months.

Automatic Qualification

You will qualify automatically if you receive any of the following means-tested low-income social security benefits:
• Universal Credit (including Scottish Child Payment)
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-based Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
• Pension Credit

Discretionary Qualification

You may also qualify through a discretionary decision if you:

• Are in financial hardship, but not currently receiving a low-income benefit, and
• Are at risk of self-rationing, plus meet one or more of the following conditions:
– Priority need for heat or higher energy consumption due to impaired health, age (under 5 or over 75), disability, chronic or serious illness, long-term condition, mental health issue, recent hospital discharge, or end-of-life care.
– Priority need for heat due to geography or rurality.
o Other vulnerability, such as debt, waiting for a benefits decision or appeal, major life event, or recent bereavement