Energy Bill Support
06/02/23
Government announces start of alternative fuel payments to domestic and non-domestic customers
The government has today announced the start of alternative fuel payments and provided the following update for domestic and non-domestic users of heating oil:
Domestic Customers
The £200 payments will start today with most customers getting the payment automatically as a credit on their electricity bill within the next month
Electricity suppliers have been given a list by the government
A small minority of customers, including those living in park homes or on houseboats with no direct electricity supplier and those on the gas grid but without a gas connection and using heating oil, will need to apply to the domestic AFP Alternative Fund via application portal on gov.uk which will open later in February.
Non-Domestic Customers
From Wednesday, payments of £150 will be made to businesses and both public and voluntary sector organisations that use alternative fuels to heat their buildings. Electricity suppliers will deliver this support up to 10 March, with most customers expected to receive it later this month. There is no need to contact your supplier.
Scam Warnings
The government has warned customers should take no action until the online portal launches later in February and that customers will not be asked for details by any individual or organisation prior to this or outside of the portal, and any such contact is likely to be a scam.
For further information visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/households-businesses-and-organisations-off-the-gas-grid-to-receive-energy-bill-support-over-the-coming-weeks
24/01/23
Government provides more detail on £200 Alternative Fuel Payment
The government yesterday provided more guidance regarding the £200 alternative fuel payment which will start to be processed from February 6th.
Heating oil customers should be aware of the following:
Customers have been identified using an off the gas grid database and recent census information.
The majority of customers will receive their £200 automatically via their electricity supplier starting on February 6, in a similar fashion to other recent government payments (direct debit, credit to account or voucher).
There will be some small exceptions – for example customers that don’t have an electricity account or those that use oil but live in a gas grid area. These customers will need to apply via an online portal which will be open in February alongside a post code checker.
We expect further information closer to February 6th and will continue to update customers.
Households seeking more information on AFP or on wider Help For Households support schemes should visit https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk.
19/12/22
The Government announced that "Most households eligible for the Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) support in Great Britain, will receive payment automatically via their electricity supplier in February, with no need to take any action. Those households who will need to apply for the AFP, for example because they do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier, will be able to do so in February, through the same GOV.UK portal as the one that will be used to apply for support under the EBSS Alternative Funding scheme".
Find the full update here https://bit.ly/3QA2XGE
18/11/22
The Government announced in their Autumn Statement that the energy bill support payment will be increased to £200.
A definite date of when this payment is to be made has not been finalised.
We will post an update when this has been announced.
UKIFDA recommends that customers purchase heating oil as normal ahead of the winter period.
Find full info here https://bit.ly/3GB6Mbv
12/10/22
The Government issued an update on the energy bill support payment of £100 for domestic, alternative fuel users.
Please follow the link below to the Government website for full details on the most recent update.
We will post any future developments as the Government releases further information on the payments.
