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Westmorland
and Furness Council have launched funding support for residents who rely on
domestic heating oil and are experiencing financial hardship due to rising
costs.
The fund
provides assistance for households after the recent sharp rise in the cost of
oil which has made it increasingly difficult for many rural residents to
afford adequate heating and hot water.
Around
18,355 properties across the council area are estimated to be affected,
particularly in off-gas communities where homes are not connected to the
mains network.
Global oil
prices have driven local heating oil costs up rapidly, with current prices
typically ranging between £1.25 and £1.40 per litre, and in some cases
reaching as high as £1.70 per litre. This represents more than a doubling of
prices compared to earlier in the month.
As most
suppliers require a minimum order of 500 litres, households are now facing
upfront costs of between £625 and £850 or more, compared to around £325 to
£400 previously. Unlike gas and electricity, heating oil is not covered by
the Ofgem energy price cap, meaning households remain exposed to sudden price
fluctuations.
Access to
the Government’s Household Support Fund is available through Westmorland and
Furness Council for those properties facing immediate financial hardship
because of the increase in heating oil prices and are at risk of losing
immediate access to heating or hot water.
Eligible
households can receive a one-off cash award of between £200 and £250,
depending on household size, with an additional £20 for each child in
full-time education up to the age of 18.
This will be
allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until it the funding pot is
fully committed.
Residents
are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as the Household
Support Fund is strictly time-limited by the government and only available
until Tuesday 31 March 2026.
From April
2026, even more support will be available for those most in need through the
Council’s Crisis Resilience Fund.
Councillor
Judith Derbyshire, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Housing
and Community Safety, said:
“We know
that many of our residents, particularly those living in rural and off-gas
communities, are facing real and immediate pressure as heating oil prices
rise so sharply. Westmorland and Furness is one of the most sparsely
populated areas in the country, and around 18,355 households here rely on
heating oil to keep their homes warm, which makes us especially vulnerable to
these kinds of price increases.
“For
households already struggling, the sudden rise in costs can make it
incredibly difficult to afford the basic essentials, including heating and
hot water.
“This
targeted support through the Household Support Fund is there to provide
urgent help to those who need it most. While we know this will not solve
everything, these payments can make a meaningful difference for families and
individuals who are worried about how they will manage in the coming weeks.
“I would
strongly encourage anyone who is struggling with the cost of heating oil to
come forward and apply as soon as possible. Our teams are here to help, and
we want to ensure that available funding reaches those in genuine need.”
Residents
can apply
for heating oil support now on the Council’s website.
Applicants
will be required to provide details including their address, household
composition, benefits received and information about their financial
situation and heating oil costs. Supporting evidence, such as a recent
utility bill, heating oil quote or invoice, and proof of identity, will also
be required.
Applications
may be declined where there is insufficient evidence of financial hardship or
where the required information is not provided. Only one application per
household is permitted until 31 March 2026.
Find
out more about the Household Support Fund that's supporting households heated
by oil.
ENDS
Residents are strongly encouraged to apply for Household
Support Funding as soon as possible, as funding is strictly time-limited by
the government and only available until Tuesday 31 March 2026.
From
Wednesday 1 April 2026, even more support will be available for those most in
need through the Crisis Resilience Fund.
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