Scottish rural charity RSABI has opened its winter heating fund to help address fuel poverty.
The charity, which provides financial assistance to those who have relied on the land in Scotland, is now accepting applications for support from its Help for Heating Fund. The fund provides fixed grants of £300 to successful applicants.
It is open to those who have worked full-time on the land for at least 10 years but are now unable to do so due to age and/or disability and who find themselves in fuel poverty. Those currently employed in a land-based industry are also welcome to apply.
Fuel poverty is defined as spending more than 10% of your total income on energy bills.
RSABI welfare manager Mags Granger said: “We were disappointed to discover that there are more people living in fuel poverty in Scotland despite a commitment by the Scottish Government in 2003 to eliminate fuel poverty by November 2016. According to The Report of the Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group (October 2016), one in three Scots are in fuel poverty.
“The situation is worse in rural areas where fuel poverty effects one in two people. RSABI have launched the Help for Heating campaign to offer assistance to those who are in fuel poverty and meet the criteria for assistance. We urge those affected to get in touch.”
Those wishing to apply for assistance through the fund are asking to contact RSABI on 0300 1114166 or by e-mailing rsabi@rsabi.org.uk. The charity said all calls would be handled in confidence.