Heating oil grant scheme extended

A national scheme providing £300 grants to households struggling with the cost of heating oil and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) has been extended indefinitely into this Winter.

This follows an admission by the Scottish Government that only around one-fifth of the £10 million fund has been allocated to date.

Within Dumfries and Galloway around 14,000 households rely on heating oil and 3,000 households use LPG.

The scheme is open to both tenants and homeowners. All those on means-tested benefits are eligible for a grant.

Those not receiving benefits may still qualify if they are in financial hardship and have either a health-related issue, their household has a child under 5 or an adult over 75 or they are living in a remote rural area.

Additional grants of £300 can be made if it is more than three months since the previous grant was awarded,

People can apply directly or an application can be submitted on their behalf.

Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service is urging people who think they may to eligible to contact them on 0300 303 4321.

Applications can be made either online at homeheatingadvice.scot or by calling 0800 048 7413.