Government announces start of Alternative Fuel Payments to domestic and non-domestic customers
Important update on how and when payments will be made
The government has today (6th February 2023) announced the start of Alternative Fuel Payments and provided the following update for domestic and non-domestic users of heating oil:
Domestic Customers
- The £200 payments will start today with most customers getting the payment automatically as a credit on their electricity bill within the next month.
- Electricity suppliers have been given a list by the government.
- A small minority of customers, including those living in park homes or on houseboats with no direct electricity supplier and those on the gas grid but without a gas connection and using heating oil, will need to apply to the domestic AFP Alternative Fund via application portal on gov.uk which will open later in February.
Non-Domestic Customers
- From Wednesday, payments of £150 will be made to businesses and both public and voluntary sector organisations that use alternative fuels to heat their buildings. Electricity suppliers will deliver this support up to 10 March, with most customers expected to receive it later this month. There is no need to contact your supplier.
Scam Warnings
The government has warned customers should take no action until the online portal launches later in February and that customers will not be asked for details by any individual or organisation prior to this or outside of the portal, and any such contact is likely to be a scam.
For further information visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/households-businesses-and-organisations-off-the-gas-grid-to-receive-energy-bill-support-over-the-coming-weeks
Update: On 27th February 2023, the government announced that for customers on heating oil who did not receive the £200 alternative fuel payment (AFP) directly via their electricity account, an online government portal will be up and running by March 6th for customers to apply for their payment. The government will provide further information soon.
Government launches online portal for alternative fuel payments.
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 175 3943 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).
