Westmorland and Furness Council has launched a new support scheme for residents who rely on domestic heating oil. This initiative aims to help those struggling with the recent sharp increases in heating oil prices.
The scheme offers one-off payments ranging from £200 to £250 for eligible households. Additional payments of £20 are available for each child in full-time education up to 18 years old.
Rising Heating Oil Costs in Rural Areas
Heating oil prices have surged, now typically costing between £1.25 and £1.40 per litre. In some cases, prices have reached as high as £1.70 per litre. Since suppliers often require minimum orders of 500 litres, households face costs between £625 and £850 or more per delivery.
This is a significant increase from earlier in the month when prices ranged from £325 to £400 for the same amount.
Impact on Westmorland and Furness Residents
Westmorland and Furness is one of the most sparsely populated areas in the UK. Approximately 18,355 households rely on heating oil, making them vulnerable to price fluctuations.
Many residents, especially those living in rural and off-gas communities, face immediate financial pressure. The sudden rise in heating oil costs makes it harder to afford essential heating and hot water.
Details of the Support Scheme
The council’s payment scheme is funded through the Household Support Fund. Payments are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget runs out. The fund will be available until 31 March.
Eligible households can apply for a one-off payment between £200 and £250, plus £20 per child in full-time education. Applications require proof of address, household details, evidence of benefits, financial information, and heating oil expenses.
Application Process and Requirements
Applicants must provide supporting documents such as recent utility bills, heating oil invoices or quotes, and proof of identity. The council may decline applications lacking sufficient evidence of financial hardship or missing required information.
Only one application per household is accepted during the scheme period.
Future Support Plans
From April, additional funding will be available through the council’s Crisis Resilience Fund to continue supporting residents facing energy costs.
Residents are encouraged to apply promptly to access the current funding and receive assistance with heating oil expenses.
