Crisis and Resilience Fund - Summer Heating Oil Scheme Criteria

Purpose of the Scheme

The Crisis & Resilience fund “Summer Heating Oil Scheme” has been created to try and offer oil households some resilience with regard to managing their fuel bills.  Typically oil prices are lower during the warmer months and consumption is usually much lower too.  Hopefully, by assisting you to purchase heating oil now, it will put you in a better position to start saving for that winter fuel top up that you will inevitably need. The fund is limited and further help/support with heating oil can not be guaranteed. 

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 a Council Tax/Utilities payer for that property
• Be in receipt of means‑tested benefits or have a total household income of £33,000 or less per year for a two person household and £47,000 for a three or more person household (including children)
• Use heating oil as the main source of heating and/or hot water
• Have less than £3,000 in savings

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 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

Award

Where eligibility and evidence requirements are met, eligible residents will receive an award of £450, designed to contribute towards the rising cost of heating oil rather than cover the full cost of supply.