Money Matters Advice Service

If your home is heated by oil or Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and you are finding it hard to afford fuel, you may be able to get help through the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme. This scheme is for South Lanarkshire residents who do not have access to mains gas and need support to pay for essential heating.

The scheme is run by Advice Direct Scotland, and applications are open from 1 April 2026. Where possible, payments are made directly to your fuel supplier, so support reaches you quickly.

Who can apply

You can apply if all of the following apply to you:

• you are the bill payer for a home heated mainly by oil or LPG
• the property is your only or main home
• you have bought heating fuel, or are about to place an order, on or after 1 April 2026
• your household has not received a payment from this scheme in the last three months

If you receive certain benefits

You may qualify automatically if you receive one or more of these low-income benefits:

• Universal Credit, including Scottish Child Payment
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• Income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income‑related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit

You will need to provide proof that you receive the benefit.

If you are not on benefits

You may still be able to get help if you are under financial pressure and are cutting back on heating. Each application is considered individually.

We may look at things such as:

• health conditions, disability, or medical needs that increase heating use
• older people or households with young children
• living in a rural or remote area
• debt, bereavement, redundancy, or waiting for a benefit decision

What you will need to apply

Your household and heating

To help process your application, you will be asked for documents, such as:

• proof you are the bill payer, like an oil or LPG account in your name
• proof this is your main home, such as a council tax bill or tenancy agreement
• proof your home uses oil or LPG, like a delivery note or invoice
• proof of a recent or planned fuel purchase made on or after 1 April 2026

Automatic eligibility (low-income benefits)

If you receive a qualifying low‑income benefit, you will be asked for:

• a recent award letter, or
• a bank statement showing the payment

Applying because of financial hardship

If you do not receive a qualifying benefit, you may still be able to get help if you are struggling to afford heating.

You must provide proof of financial hardship, such as:

• Recent bank statements, payslips, or a household budget sheet

You must also provide at least one of the following, if it applies:

• Health or disability evidence (e.g. GP letter, hospital letter, disability benefit award, or SR1)
• Proof of age for someone in your household
• Proof of your address or postcode to show you live in a rural or remote area
• Evidence of other difficulties, such as debt, waiting for a benefit decision, redundancy, or bereavement

Help available from us

Although applications are managed nationally, we can offer local support. Our Money Matters Advice Service (MMAS) can:

• help you complete your application
• support you in gathering the right evidence
• provide advice on benefits, energy costs, and managing money

We encourage you to contact us if you are vulnerable, unsure if you qualify, or need help with the process.

How to apply

• Online: home heating advice Scotland
• Phone: 0800 048 7413