The UK Government has confirmed that it has extended the energy bill support scheme, to cover those who are using alternative fuels to keep their homes running.
The scheme run by the government allows the consumer to receive £200 worth of support, however this previously didn’t cover as many homes that use alternative fuels such as heating oil, LPG, biomass and more.
Generally, the vast majority of homes using alternative fuels didn’t need to apply for the funding and have already received their support, however a small number of households will be required to submit an application. To compliment the expansion of support coverage, the government has also extended the time period that is covered by the support by three months. Thanks to this, households who prepared for the winter by bulk buying their alternative fuels from June 2022 onwards are still able to receive the support that they need and, crucially, are entitled to.
Earlier this year, Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps also increased the number of receipts that can be submitted by households from two to ten.
Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, said:
“We have already stepped in and paid half of a typical household energy bill, but we also always want to make sure support gets to those who need it.
“That’s why today we’re again stepping in to make sure those households using heating oil, LPG, biomass and more, can submit receipts for fuel purchases as far back as June 2022, because we recognise many households will have bought ahead of winter.”
The current boost is just a small part of the schemes being implemented by the government as it looks to support communities. The ongoing schemes are:
- The Non-Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme: This provides top-ups for organisations that use large amounts of kerosene heating oil, including farms, hotels, charities, and public buildings. Top-ups start at £750.
- The Energy Bills Support Scheme: Payments of £400 have been provided to support households with their energy bills. Most households have already received these payments automatically, however those using traditional prepayment meters need to get their support by redeeming vouchers at Paypoint outlets or Post Offices.
- The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding: Households that don’t have a domestic electricity supply and are unable to receive the Energy Bills Support Scheme automatically will be provided with the equivalent of £400 of payments. These generally include residents of care homes or park homes.
Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability, Amanda Solloway, said:
“We will always stand by consumers and families who have been hit by the impact of Putin’s illegal war on Ukraine.
“Today we have gone one step further in extending our support to users of heating oil. LPG, biomass and more, to make sure all those in need of assistance with bills are able to access it.
“Most will have got this automatically, but for those needing to apply – if you haven’t done so already, I urge you to put in your application to get the £200 support you’re entitled to.”
