Alternative Fuels Payment Update
With rising energy prices affecting thousands of households and businesses across the UK, it’s clear that residents are in need of financial support this winter. The government’s Energy Price Guarantee will help eligible gas and electric households on the national grid – but what about those that rely on heating oil?
On the 21st of September 2022, the government announced a new plan to help any residents not connected to the Gas Grid. Your NRG welcomes the news that a one-off payment of £100 will be made available for those households that are reliant on heating oil. In the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announced that the amount previously outlined would rise to £200 for domestic users.
When and how will government funding be available for heating oil households?
If you use home heating oil, you are eligible to receive a total of £600 (previously £500) towards your winter energy bills (£400 as part of the Energy Bills Support Scheme, plus £200 as an off-grid household using heating oil).
The government announced recently that the Alternative Fuel Payment of £200 will be start to be processed from February 6th 2023.
The UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA), the trade body for the liquid fuel distribution industry has confirmed that this £200 fixed payment will be made via electricity companies. Those households that are eligible for the payment but do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier and other exceptions will be able to apply through a government portal in February.
UKIFDA Statement 07/03/2023
The government has launched the online alternative fuel payments portal for those heating oil customers who have not received their £200 payment directly through their electricity account.
The portal can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-alternative-fuel-bill-support-if-not-automatic and will be open until the end of May.
For those without online access, the contact centre helpline can be reached on 0808 1753943 for applicants in Great Britain, or 0808 175 3894 for applicants in Northern Ireland, where a representative will guide you through the application process. The helpline is open 8am to 6pm on Monday to Friday.
Customers should have ready proof of address, bank account details, and proof of heating oil purchases with a value of £200 or more and with a date between September 2022 and the end of the application window (31 May 2023). After a number of checks customers should get payments through their local authority.
Customers should be aware no one will contact you from government about this unless you contact them – so please be aware of scams.
UKIFDA have updated their statement 12/04/2023
The government today has extended the receipt window for those heating oil customers wishing to apply through the government portal for their £200 domestic alternative fuel payment.
The previous window was from September 2022 to May 2023. This window has been extended back to June 2022 to ensure that households who purchased fuel in bulk ahead of the winter are able to receive the £200 energy bill support they are entitled to.
The AFP application portal can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-alternative-fuel-bill-support-if-not-automatic and will be open until the end of May.
For applicants without online access living in Great Britain, the contact centre helpline number is 0808 1753943. For people living in Northern Ireland, the number to call is 0808 1753894.
The helpline is open from 8 am to 6 pm on Monday to Friday, and a representative will guide applicants through the process.
To apply through the portal, customers will need to have the following ready:
- Proof of address
- Bank account details
- Proof of heating oil purchases with a value of £200 or more and with a date between May 2022 and the end of the application window (31 May 2023).
After a number of checks, customers will receive payments through their local authority.
Be aware of scams.
We advise customers to be aware that no one will contact them about this matter unless they first contact the government.
Please do not delay your heating oil order
In line with advice from UKIFDA, we highly recommend that you order heating oil as soon as possible if you’re running low. Delaying your order may cause a surge in demand as we head into winter – an already-busy period.
If you have any questions about your heating oil supply over the coming months, the best and most economical approach is to stay in touch with your local oil distributor and avoid last-minute orders.
