FOI/202600523285 · FOI · unclear
Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme applicants: FOI release
Information requested
How many applicants have been successful in applying for heating oil help?
Are oaps considered vulnerable within the scope for heating oil help?
How many applicants not claiming benefits have been successful in claiming help for heating oil?
Was heating Scotland website accuaracy checked prior to publication?
How can aged applicants get assistance if they do not claim benefits?
Response
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested.
This is because the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme is operated by Advice Direct Scotland ("ADS"), through their homeheatingadvice.scot website. As such, ADS hold the data that would be required to provide answers to the majority of your queries. Please note that as ADS are a charity, they are exempt from FOI requests.
ADS, however, do provide the Scottish Government with regular updates and we do hold some information and have provided this below.
Please note that this is information is from a live administrative system and the figures could be subject to future revision. We are also unable to verify these figures as the data is held by ADS.
These figures are from 6 July 2026 as this is the latest date the Scottish Government holds figures for.
1) How many applicants have been successful in applying for heating oil help?
This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. This is due to the Scottish Government not holding records for the date this FOI was processed.
However, we do hold records provided by ADS that suggest, as of 6 July 2026, 3,270 applications had met the eligibility requirements and an award made.
Please note that this figure includes both applications for heating oil and liquid petroleum gas.
2) Are oaps considered vulnerable within the scope for heating oil help?
The Scheme allows for eligibility through automatic and discretionary criteria and these are noted below. Details of the eligibility criteria for both criteria have also been made available on the ADS website, since the Scheme opened, and can be found here: https://homeheatingadvice.scot/faqs/.
The Scheme does not have an automatic qualification specifically for Old Age Pensioners (OAPs) but does have an automatic qualification for those in receipt of a number of means tested low-income social security benefit, including Pension Credit.
In addition, applicants, including OAPs, may qualify for a discretionary benefit if they meet the following criteria:
1. They are in financial hardship, 2. They are at risk of self-rationing, and 3. They have a priority need for heat or additional energy consumption and meet one, or more, of the following criteria:
Long-term illness or medical condition Disability Recent hospital discharge End-of-life care Mental health issues A child under 5 or an adult over 75 in the home Debt Waiting for a benefit claim or appeal decision Living in a very rural or remote area A recent major life event (such as a bereavement)
3) How many applicants not claiming benefits have been successful in claiming help for heating oil?
This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. This is due to the Scottish Government not holding records for the date this FOI was processed.
However, we do hold records provided by ADS that suggest, as of 6 July 2026, 720 applications had met the eligibility requirements for a discretionary payment and an award made.
Please note that this figure includes both applications for heating oil and liquid petroleum gas.
4) Was heating Scotland website accuaracy checked prior to publication?
This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
This is because the Home Heating Advice website is owned and maintained by Advice Direct Scotland.
It is for Advice Direct Scotland to undertake accuracy checks on their website.
5) How can aged applicants get assistance if they do not claim benefits?
The eligibility criteria for discretionary payments are outlined in the answer to question 2 above.
Applicants can also discuss their individual circumstances with Advice Direct Scotland to determine if they may meet the eligibility criteria for both automatic payments or discretionary payments by calling Advice Direct Scotland on 0800 048 7413.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested.
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