Winter payment available for Inverness residents

The City of Inverness Common Good Fund operates a Scheme of Winter Fuel Payments and The Highland Council is reminding residents  who have not already applied for the benefit this winter and who wish to receive a donation, that they have until the 15th March to submit an application.

Set up to alleviate any hardship experienced by those most at risk within the community, the Scheme is open to people who live in any of the Inverness Wards -Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness West, Inverness Central, Inverness Ness-side, Inverness Millburn, Culloden and Ardersier and Inverness South. 

To qualify applicants must be in receipt of one of the following benefits listed below  and there must be a resident in the property entitled to either an Attendance Allowance or a Disability Living Allowance:

• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Income Support
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Based Employment and Support Allowance/Incapacity

Provost of Inverness, Jimmy Gray said: “This is another chance for those entitled to apply for support through this Scheme which is targeted to ensure that money goes to help people living in our communities who need it the most.  Everyone is finding the current economic climate difficult.  Fuel prices are rising and winter brings with in the worry of having additional costs just to keep warm.  This is a good opportunity to get some assistance towards these expenses. I urge anyone who thinks they may be legible to receive a donation to pick up an application form and get it to us before the closing date of the 15th March.”

All successful applicants will receive a cheque.  They, as well as any previous applicants for 2011/12, will also receive a letter inviting them to apply for an additional one-off “Extra Heat” payment of £32.

Application forms are now available from Inverness Town House, Service Points, Social Work Area Offices and local libraries.
ENDS