Energy Bills Support Scheme
The government has set up two new schemes to help with energy costs: Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) and Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP). The two schemes are open until 31 May 2023.
For both schemes you will need to apply on gov.uk, and your details will be passed on to us so we can check residency and make the payment. We use council tax records to confirm residency; if you do not pay Council Tax, you will have to provide proof of address.
It will take up to six weeks to deal with applications. If your application is successful, you will receive payment by credit transfer to your bank account.
Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF)
Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding is for households who have not already benefited from £400 assistance with gas and electricity through their energy supplier. This means you do not have a gas or electricity bill in your name or a key meter because energy is included in your rent or service charge.
This is likely to be the case if the building you live in has a commercial meter. Households with a domestic meter are not eligible. This includes where there is a domestic meter, and the landlord has already received £400.
You may be eligible to apply if your main home is:
- a residential park home
- on a boat on a permanent residential mooring
- on a permanent Gypsy and Traveller site
- part of a heat network without an electricity meter
- in social or private rented accommodation which has a business energy connection or a communal electricity supply
- off the mains electricity or gas grid
- in a care home or assisted living facility and you pay for some or all of your care (directly or through loss of pension or other benefits)
- in a separate domestic home within a non-domestic property (such as a farmhouse or a flat above a shop)
Find out more about the EBSS AFscheme and apply on GOV.UK. If you cannot apply online, you can call the helpline number: 0808 175 3287.
Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP)
The Alternative Fuel Payment is for households who are not on the gas mains grid and use alternative fuels for heating. You can apply if you have not received support of £200 for heating costs through your electricity supplier.
You must show that you have spent at least £200 since September 2022 on the alternative fuels you use. Most people eligible for AFP are likely to heat their homes using oil such as kerosene. Other examples of alternative fuels are wood, biomass, and smokeless coal.
You may be eligible to apply if you use alternative fuels for heating. Your main home must also be:
- in a residential park home
- on a boat on a permanent residential mooring
- on a permanent Gypsy and Traveller site
- in social or private rented accommodation which has a business energy connection or a communal electricity supply
- off the mains electricity or gas grid
- part of a business property (such as a farm or a flat above a shop)
Find out more about the AFP scheme and apply on GOV.UK. If you cannot apply online, you can call the helpline number: 0808 175 3943.