Crisis and Resilience Fund - Heating Oil Support Criteria

Purpose of the Scheme

To provide emergency financial assistance to low‑income households in Kent who rely on heating oil, are close to running out, and cannot afford the minimum delivery volume.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for support, applicants must:

• Be aged 16 or over
• Be a resident of Ashford permanently living within Ashford Borough Council
• Be in receipt of means‑tested benefits or have a total household income of £33,000 or less per year
• Use heating oil as the main source of heating and/or hot water
• Have 150 litres of heating oil or less remaining (priority will be given to households with under 100 litres)
• Be unable to afford the minimum order required for a heating oil delivery

Evidence Requirements

Applicants will be required to provide:

• Proof of financial circumstances, such as:
  • Bank statements from the last 3 months
  • Payslips from the last 3 months
  • Evidence of benefits received
• Proof of identity and address, such as:
  • National Insurance number and a bank statement
  • Council tax bill or utility bill
• Proof of heating oil use, such as:
  • A recent invoice or delivery receipt
  • Bank statement showing payment to a heating oil supplier
  • Tenancy agreement confirming oil‑based heating
• Proof of current tank level, for example a photo of the tank gauge

Award

Where eligibility and evidence requirements are met, eligible residents will receive an award of £300, designed to contribute towards the rising cost of heating oil rather than cover the full cost of supply.