Dalry Parish Boundary Trust has extended the deadline for applications to its Energy Fund to help local households during the cost of living crisis.

The fund launched on April 1 this year, making available £300,000.00 for the benefit of pensioners, the disabled, people living with cancer and families on low incomes living within Dalry Parish.

A Trust spokesperson said: "The initiative was intended to last for three months but and there were not as many applicants as we anticipated we extended the time scale from the end of June to the end of September.

"As there are still considerable funds available we intend to extend it again.

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald: Emily Shedden, Vice Chair, Pete Boustead, Trustee CWL, John Smith Secretary, Kenneth Gibson MSP. Audrey Mason. TrusteeEmily Shedden, Vice Chair, Pete Boustead, Trustee CWL, John Smith Secretary, Kenneth Gibson MSP. Audrey Mason. Trustee (Image: Dalry Parish Boundary Trust)

"Despite rumours circulating in the area, the application is really quite simple although certain evidence of entitlement must be provided.

"All applications must be done on line by computer or mobile phone to www.communityadvice.scot .

"If you are unable to complete the application yourself you can ask a relative or friend to complete the application on your behalf. Help is also available at Dalry Library when one of our trustees will be available on certain days to help with your application  (if you ask at the library they will be able to advise which day help will be available)."

Those who are eligible to apply include:

  • Pensioners over 66 years who are Council Tax Payers in receipt of the State Pension

  • An occupant of any household living with cancer.

  • An occupant of any household with medical equipment which requires electricity.

  • An occupant of any household in receipt of a disability benefit

  •  A household with children in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment

Proof is required for all categories.

In most cases, households will be granted £1,000 towards electricity usage.

Additional payments will be made to qualifying households: £200 to a pensioner household where one is the council tax payer and in receipt of the state pension; £200 to a household where illness and /or disability benefit can be evidenced and £200 to a household on with children in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.

In all cases a copy of an electricity bill is required and the maximum payment is £500 per household.

By September 8, more than 670 households had benefitted from grants ranging from £300 to £500.

Given that cost are still rising and many more households are in poverty, funding is available to benefit around another 200 households.

Only one application can be made per household, if you have already received a grant no further application can be submitted.

For further information e mail info@dalryparishboundarytrust.org or telephone 07768017864.