Help with energy costs

Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding and Alternative Fuels Payment

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.

Applications are made on the GOV.UK website and your details are passed on to the council to check residency and make 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 four 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)

EBSS AF 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.

There is more information about eligibility on GOV.UK website or call the helpline number, 0808 175 3287, if you cannot apply online.

Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP)

AFP 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.

There is more information about eligibility on GOV.UK and a helpline number, 0808 175 3943, if you cannot apply online.