Question reference: S6W-23335
- Asked by: Paul O'Kane, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 29 November 2023
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Current status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 11 December 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the most common reasons are for applications to the Home Heating Support Fund being rejected.
Answer
As part of the £30 million investment in the Fuel Insecurity Fund for 2023/24, the Scottish Government has allocated £9 million for the Home Heating Support Fund (HHSF), administered by Advice Direct Scotland (ADS), to support households with increased energy costs.
The most common reasons for HHSF applications being rejected are that evidence requirements are not met; or the customer has not already received debt advice, which is a requirement for support. As part of the appropriate verification and compliance process, relevant supporting evidence is required.
ADS adopt an holistic support approach, meaning that households presenting with debts exceeding £1,700 are internally passed to their FCA-accredited debt advice team for more comprehensive support and debt solutions. In all cases, ADS works with the applicant to ensure they have what they need to reapply to the HHSF.