Devon council confirm £1.3 million support for rural households using heating oil

Rural households in Devon that rely on heating oil could receive extra financial support following a £1.3 million government funding boost.

Devon County Council said the money will help eligible low-income households cope with rising fuel costs linked to global events. 

READ NEXT: Lamerton housing plan narrowly approved on third attempt despite strong opposition

The funding forms part of the government’s new Crisis and Resilience Fund and will be distributed through district councils from 1 April 2026.

The support is aimed particularly at rural areas, including parts of Dartmoor, where homes are less likely to be connected to mains gas and more likely to depend on oil for heating.

According to the council, Devon has been identified as a priority area because of the high number of properties using heating oil.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, said rising global fuel costs are putting pressure on vulnerable households.

“Rising global fuel costs are hitting rural households particularly hard, especially those who rely on heating oil and already face higher living costs,” she said.

“This additional funding will help people in acute need, but it also highlights how exposed rural communities are to international events beyond their control.”

The additional £1,303,439 will be paid to the county council during the 2026/27 financial year as part of the local government funding settlement. 

It will sit alongside Devon’s wider Crisis and Resilience Fund allocation of £8.4 million per year for three years, which replaces the Household Support Fund from April 2026.

The scheme is intended to support residents facing immediate financial crises, such as being unable to afford heating or hot water, while also offering longer-term help through advice and community services.

However, the support will not be available to all households that use oil heating, with the council saying it will be targeted at eligible low-income households, and criteria will apply.

The Moorlander contacted Devon County Council to ask how residents could apply and what support they might receive. 

A spokesperson for the council said further details are not yet available.

“Unfortunately, at this stage I regret to say we do not have any additional information to provide beyond what has already been shared.”

“As outlined in the initial release, further details on how and when eligible households can apply will be shared by district councils once local delivery arrangements have been confirmed,” the spokesperson said.

They added that the government announcement was made on 15 March, funding was confirmed to the local authority on 16 March, and the council’s news release was published on 18 March.

The council said further information will be released once arrangements with district councils are finalised.