The Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme is aimed at low-income and vulnerable households facing increased oil and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) heating costs.

Applications open today, with the fund managed by charity Advice Direct Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Successful applicants will have £300 paid directly to their oil or LPG supplier.

The scheme prioritises low-income households in receipt of means tested social security benefits and vulnerable people in financial hardship.

People on the following benefits should automatically qualify: universal credit, Scottish child payment, housing benefit, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-based employment and support allowance, and pension credit.

Eligible customers who would like to apply for support can visit homeheatingadvice.scot, call 0800 048 7413, or send a form via post. Applicants will need to supply evidence of eligibility.

The scheme will run for up to six months and will be kept under review.

Those in financial hardship who are at risk of cutting back on heat due to rising costs, and who are classed as vulnerable, may also qualify for the scheme.

Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Applications are now open for the new Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme, which provides £300 to eligible Scots struggling to pay the rising cost of oil and LPG heating.

“This is a targeted fund to help those in need, especially vulnerable households in rural areas.”