Focus on fuel poverty for energy efficiency work applicants

THOSE on the waiting list for energy efficiency improvements to their home are being asked by the council for more information to establish levels of fuel poverty as energy costs rise.

This involves sending in proof of income and recent energy bills. It relates to the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme – a national initiative which is administered by councils.

Private and private rent householders can apply to the scheme for funded energy efficiency improvements, such as insulation. But with a limited number of accredited contractors in Shetland eligible to undertake the work, the waiting list has increased significantly year on year.

Due to the extent of the waiting list and changes to the level of grant funding being offered to each property the council is requesting further information from householders.

A spokesperson for Shetland Islands Council said under the scheme priority levels need to be established and verified to “ensure we are addressing households with the greatest need first”.

“With our current backlog, increasing energy bills and difficult circumstances, we need to establish the levels of fuel poverty, extreme fuel poverty and those at risk of fuel poverty as well as property condition,” they added.

“Scottish Government has changed the funding levels per property to reflect different property types and household circumstances.

“It is therefore essential that we allocate the correct funding accordingly.”

The spokesperson added that to correctly establish fuel poverty means the inclusion of other costs such as rent/mortgage, child care and council tax, “as these are seen as essential costs that must be paid, and also there are now two levels of grant funding available, dependent upon what level of fuel poverty you are living in”.

“The evidence is required to both update and support your claim and confirm what is stated on the application form is still current,” they added.

“The entire process is strictly confidential. We do not pass this information on to any other bodies and nor do we use it for any other purposes other than to work out what level of fuel poverty your household comes under.”