News Release

Support available for rural households as heating oil prices surge across Westmorland and Furness

Oil-heated households experiencing financial hardship can receive one-off support of between £200 and £250

Westmorland and Furness Council have launched funding support for residents who rely on domestic heating oil and are experiencing financial hardship due to rising costs.

The fund provides assistance for households after the recent sharp rise in the cost of oil which has made it increasingly difficult for many rural residents to afford adequate heating and hot water.

Around 18,355 properties across the council area are estimated to be affected, particularly in off-gas communities where homes are not connected to the mains network.

Global oil prices have driven local heating oil costs up rapidly, with current prices typically ranging between £1.25 and £1.40 per litre, and in some cases reaching as high as £1.70 per litre. This represents more than a doubling of prices compared to earlier in the month.

As most suppliers require a minimum order of 500 litres, households are now facing upfront costs of between £625 and £850 or more, compared to around £325 to £400 previously. Unlike gas and electricity, heating oil is not covered by the Ofgem energy price cap, meaning households remain exposed to sudden price fluctuations.

Access to the Government’s Household Support Fund is available through Westmorland and Furness Council for those properties facing immediate financial hardship because of the increase in heating oil prices and are at risk of losing immediate access to heating or hot water.

Eligible households can receive a one-off cash award of between £200 and £250, depending on household size, with an additional £20 for each child in full-time education up to the age of 18.

This will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until it the funding pot is fully committed.

Residents are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as the Household Support Fund is strictly time-limited by the government and only available until Tuesday 31 March 2026.

From April 2026, even more support will be available for those most in need through the Council’s Crisis Resilience Fund.

Find out more about the Household Support Fund that's supporting households heated by oil.

ENDS

Residents are strongly encouraged to apply for Household Support Funding as soon as possible, as funding is strictly time-limited by the government and only available until Tuesday 31 March 2026.

From Wednesday 1 April 2026, even more support will be available for those most in need through the Crisis Resilience Fund.