The charity is partnering with the Scottish Government to pilot the scheme, which provides financial support for households in remote or rural locations reliant on solid fuel.
In Scotland, there are currently around 500,000 homes (21 per cent of all households) which rely on coal, wood, heating oil or LPG to heat their properties.
Unlike electricity and mains gas supply, which are regulated and offer consumers a level of price and supply protection, the solid fuel market is currently unregulated, leaving consumers exposed to higher fuel costs, with oil prices fluctuating on a daily basis. A single delivery of oil and gas can also cost £300 (minimum).
Through the Heat Fund, eligible households i.e. those living without heat because they can’t afford to buy fuel to fill their coal bunker, wood store, LPG bottles or heating oil tank or those imminently at risk of running out of fuel can apply for an emergency delivery.