Find more funding
There are many other organisations who may be offering funding that will help you, and our handy funding search tool brings them all together.
Deadline approaching to apply for support to ease home heating costs
Rural and island households using heating oil or LPG are encouraged to check if they can apply for £300 of support with their fuel costs before 30th September.
Households struggling with the cost of heating oil or Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) could be eligible for £300 of financial support through the Scottish Government, Home Energy Scotland’s Emergency Heating Oil Scheme.
The scheme may be particularly relevant to people living in rural and island communities whose homes use heating oil or LPG. It is open until Wednesday 30 September 2026, or until the available funding runs out.
To qualify, homes must be heated by oil or LPG, applicants must pay the fuel bill and the property must be the applicants main or only home. Applicants must also have bought fuel on or after 1 April 2026, or be about to place an order, and no one at the address can have received an award from the scheme in the previous three months.
Alongside the extension of the scheme, households that use heating oil or LPG are also encouraged to contact Home Energy Scotland for free and impartial advice on reducing energy bills, improving energy efficiency and exploring clean heating options. Advisers can help households identify the support available to them and navigate funding schemes for home energy improvements.
Energy Minister Stephen Gethins said:
“More than 6,700 payments have been made since the Scottish Government launched this scheme to ensure households with the greatest need could meet the cost of keeping their homes warm.
“While prices have fallen since the peak in March, ongoing international uncertainty means further increases cannot be ruled out this winter. That is why we are extending the scheme so eligible households can still apply for support if prices remain high over the colder months to come.
“But providing support with fuel costs is only part of the picture. Improving a home’s energy efficiency or switching to a cleaner heating system can help people lower their energy bills for years to come, as well as making homes warmer and more comfortable.
“Whether you are a tenant or a homeowner, now is the perfect time to speak with Home Energy Scotland’s expert advisers, who can provide free, impartial advice on the grants, loans and support available to help households reduce their energy use and cut costs.”
Beth Mukushi, Head of Programme Delivery at Home Energy Scotland said:
“As the Scottish Government-funded energy advice service, we speak to people in rural homes every day who are looking to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient.
“They may be in off-gas areas, worried about rising energy costs or are in an older property and don’t know where to start. That can sometimes feel overwhelming; but we can help.
“Home Energy Scotland’s expert advisors are here to provide free and impartial advice, helping people with practical ways to reduce their energy use, cut bills and access funding and support for home improvements that can make a lasting difference to their homes and comfort.”
The scheme is administered by Advice Direct Scotland. Where possible, payments are made directly to fuel suppliers to help eligible households place an order.
Applications should be made through Advice Direct Scotland online at homeheatingadvice.scot or by calling 0800 048 7413.
Applicants will likely need to provide some evidence as part of their application. Full details are available online at homeheatingadvice.scot. Advice Direct Scotland expects phone lines to be extremely busy and recommend applying online as the quickest way to process your application.
Advice Direct Scotland has answered commonly asked questions on its website.
Households concerned about their energy bills can also contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 for free, expert and impartial advice on reducing bills, making homes warmer and accessing other available funding.
