Members of the public urged to get on Board with Mid Ulster District Council’s Fuel Stamp Scheme

by Gráinne Connolly

Mid Ulster District Council has running their Fuel Stamp Scheme again to help save money on fuel and by spreading fuel costs. 

Mid Ulster collection cards and £5 fuel stamps are available from approximately 80 retailers across the area.

Almost 60 oil and coal suppliers are also participating in the scheme which encourages local people to budget for the cost of their fuel, instead of trying to find money to pay fuel costs at one point in time.

Fuel poverty continues to be a major issue in Northern Ireland and can have serious implications on health and wellbeing particularly to vulnerable groups. This scheme is one of a number of approaches operated by the Council to help tackle the problem.

All you have to do to avail of the Fuel Stamp Scheme is collect your fuel stamp savings card and purchase as many of the £5 stamps as you can afford from one of the participating retailers. 

Then, simply order fuel from any of the participating fuel suppliers and use the amount collected on your fuel card to pay for fuel either fully or partly.

Speaking about the Fuel Stamp Scheme, Chair of Mid Ulster Council, Councillor Kim Ashton said,

“With many people struggling to keep up with heating bills, the Fuel Stamp Scheme has proved very beneficial in helping spread the financial burden.

"Since its launch in 2015, the scheme has been widely embraced across the district and I would urge residents to continue to take advantage of this worthwhile saving scheme for years to come. 

“Utilising the fuel stamp scheme and saving for home heating oil can help residents save money, relieve financial stress and help to keep themselves and their homes warm during the coldest months of the year.”

The Council is also encouraging more retailers and fuel suppliers to sign up to the scheme. This will help ensure that the stamps are widely accessible right across the district.

New retailers are particularly being sought in the Fivemiletown area. An information session for retailers from the town, and the surrounding areas, will take place on Tuesday 20 February from 10am – 12pm at The Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown. Come along and find out more at this free drop in event. Tea and coffee will be provided.

For more information on the scheme, including the lists of participating retailers and suppliers, go to: www.midulstercouncil.org/fuelstamps.