From the 1st of March the total value of fuel voucher support will be £58.
This will be sent to the client as an initial voucher for £49 followed by another voucher, sent the next working day, for £9. It will provide, on average, around 13 days' worth of energy and has been calculated based on the price of energy in March and average consumption costs for the time of year.
As you may already know, the PayPoint network limits the maximum value of a single voucher to £49. This is why it is split over two vouchers. It isn’t ideal, as it means the client has to make two trips to the retailer to top up their meter. The Fuel Bank are working with PayPoint to address this.
The Fuel Bank are continuing to offer 13 days of support as part of the pilot running from February to May, to help keep prepayment meters topped up for longer during the colder months.
Fuel Bank Foundation Comments on Forecast Rise in Energy Bills in April | Fuel Bank Foundation
This scheme is worth a £150 rebate on fuel bills to those who are eligible. The scheme operates differently in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK. Page 15 of the consultation paper provides the details on proposals relevant to the Scottish scheme, but you may also be interested in contributing towards the proposals for changes to the currently excluded groups ( page 14) that are relevant to those living in park homes, fixed traveller sites or have a non direct contract with their supplier ( through a housing association or landlord).
Expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK
On Monday 3rd March, Fife Council is able to accept applications for free school meals for children in P6 & P7 where the Scottish Child Payment is also in payment for the pupil. The criteria has been extended due to a new Scottish Government initiative and will be awarded from the date of application until the school summer holidays.
Publicity and further information on the application process will be released on Monday 3rd March, this will include an update to information contained on webpages and The Fife Benefit Checker. Cost of Living Support
The Scottish Government is consulting on their proposed approach to mitigate the two-child cap policy applied by the UK Government. The two-child cap restricts support through Universal Credit (UC) to the first two children in a family except in some limited circumstances. The Scottish Government is committed to developing systems to alleviate the impact of the two-child cap in Scotland in 2026.
Consultation closes on 18th April 2025.
Mitigation of the two-child cap - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space
As announced in last year's budget, increases to the National Living Wage come into effect in April.
The changes will mean:
Please get back in touch if you would like more details on any item in this week's update and thanks to Audrey Whyte Citizen's Advice and Rights Fife for helping prepare this weeks update ,
Contact: Sheena Watson
Email: sheena.watson@fife.gov.uk
