Glasgwegians have said they can 'breathe again' after a £9 million fund has helped them pay their energy bills.

The Scottish Government’s Home Heating Support Fund is designed to help Scots who are struggling to heat their homes due to soaring energy bills and the cost of living.

The initiative is being administered by the charity, Advice Direct Scotland, and is available to anyone who is rationing energy to get by – regardless of the type of meter or fuel used.

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Glasgow Times:

One Glaswegian who has been positively impacted by the fund is Great-grandmother Veronica Daly, who received £800 from the Home Heating Support Fund.

The 71-year-old, who lives alone, said: "The payment has been an absolute godsend to me. I didn’t realise how stressed and worried I was until I got it approved.

"I was scared, and I was keeping my heating switched off to try and get my bills down.

"Mr granddaughter had bought me one of these giant hoodies that go down to your ankles and I was using that to keep warm.

"I have arthritis and I look after my two great-grandchildren after school so it’s important for my home to be warm.

"I feel like I can breathe again – I had been so tense. I’m still mindful of my energy usage because I want to stay in credit, but I do feel like I can turn the heating on now and I’m so grateful for the help I’ve received."

Glasgow Times:

This latest round of targeted funding was announced by energy minister Gillian Martin as she visited Advice Direct Scotland’s office in Glasgow city centre today.

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She said: "Soaring energy prices have left too many households facing a crisis.

"The Fuel Insecurity Fund directly assists those facing difficulties in paying for energy and at risk of self-disconnection or rationing their usage.

"These are households which are already struggling with energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis more generally.

"Our investment through Advice Direct Scotland will offer a critical lifeline and expansion of the Home Heating Support Fund, with its current network of more than 1,000 referral partners.

"This is supporting upwards of 15,000 households to date and is set to further grow across Scotland this year.

"By tripling the Fuel Insecurity Fund to £30 million, the Scottish Government has demonstrated its commitment to equality, fairness and tackling all forms of poverty."

Glasgow Times:

Conor Forbes, director of business development and policy at Advice Direct Scotland, added: "We are delighted to be working with the Scottish Government again to launch the latest iteration of the Home Heating Support Fund.

"With many Scottish citizens struggling with the cost of living and energy bills, and the UK Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme coming to an end, many are finding themselves having to cut back on energy to afford other things.

"It’s important that anyone who is struggling reaches out for support.

"Advice Direct Scotland runs a number of services that can offer assistance in various areas related to the cost-of-living, including energy, debt, and support with benefits applications."

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Applications for the latest iteration of the fund are now open, with £9 million available.

Each grant reflects individual circumstances, with extra support available for households with at least one resident aged over 75, those who are living with a disability or illness, and/or households in remote or island communities.

To find out more information about the fund or to apply, click HERE