Government Energy Support Schemes
Energy bills support scheme - alternative funding (EBSS AF)
Most households will have already received the £400 energy bill support scheme discount directly off their energy bill.
If you haven't, you might be able to get a support payment of £400 if you don't pay your energy bills directly to a domestic energy supplier, and you haven't already had an automatic discount from your bill.
Alternative fuel payment
If you use an alternative fuel to heat your home, such as liquid petroleum gas, oil or solid fuel, you might also be able to get an Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) of £200.
The support is being provided by central government, but the payments are being delivered by us.
The closing date for applications is 31 May 2023.
Eligible households
Before any payment is made, checks will be done to make sure that you have not already had an Energy Bills Support Scheme or Alternative Fuel payment made directly through your energy supplier.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, and can provide sufficient proof of address, these are the types of households who can get support:
- people who live in park homes
- traveller households on authorised sites
- housing association, social and private tenants and leaseholders, whose energy is supplied via a landlord with a commercial meter
- partly and wholly self-funded care home residents
- people who live in houseboats on residential moorings
- houses on a private electricity network, for example, those supplied by a heat network
- off-grid households
There is more information on the Energy Support Scheme on the GOV.UK website.
How to apply for the energy support scheme
If you think you might be eligible for either the Alternative Funding or the Alternative Fuel payment, or both, you need to fill out a form on the GOV.UK website.
Apply for the Alternative Funding support scheme
Apply for the Alternative Fuel support schemes
If you don't have online access, you can apply by telephoning the helpline on: 0808 175 3287. Someone will guide you through the application process. Once you have applied, your application will be processed and verified.
If your application is successful, your details will be shared with us so we can make the one-off support payment. The payment will be made directly into your bank account in a single instalment. You don't have to pay the money back.