Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Fund

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Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Fund

Households without a direct relationship with an energy supplier can now apply for the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Fund.

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Households across the UK will benefit from the Energy Price Guarantee which reduces the price suppliers charge customers for units of gas and electricity, providing money off their energy bills. The scheme covers energy use from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2024.

In addition to this, households will also receive a £400 non-repayable discount off their energy bills, via the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme.

There is no need to apply for the Energy Price Guarantee or the Energy Bills Support Scheme (if you have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier). For more information on how to apply for the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Fund, please find the information below.

You will not be contacted by the government, or Ofgem asking you to share your bank details in order to benefit for the schemes.

Do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments, or click on any links in emails if you’re not sure they’re genuine.

The Government recognises that many households need support with the cost of rising energy bills. Along with the announcement of the Energy Price Guarantee, the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Fund has been launched to provide support for households without a direct relationship to a domestic electricity supplier. Households will need to apply through the government portal, and there is no requirement to repay the one-off lump sum of £400.

Most households in England, Scotland and Wales get a £400 discount on their energy bills automatically with the Energy Bill Support Scheme if they have a direct relationship with a domestic electricity supplier. For more information, please visit Energy bills support scheme 2022 to 2023.

Who can apply?

You may be eligible to apply if your main home does not have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier, this includes:

  • a residential park home
  • on a boat on a permanent residential mooring
  • on a permanent Gypsy and Traveller site
  • part of a heat network without an electricity meter
  • in social or private rented accommodation which has a business energy connection or a communal electricity supply
  • off the mains electricity or gas grid
  • in a care home or assisted living facility and you pay for some or all of your care (directly or through loss of pension or other benefits)
  • in a separate domestic home within a non-domestic property (such as a farmhouse or a flat above a shop) 
     

Who should apply?

If you meet the eligibility criteria listed above, you can apply if:

  • you pay for the energy your household uses
  • you’re applying for your main, permanent home
  • you have a fixed address in England, Scotland or Wales
     

Who can not apply?

You do not need to apply if you or your landlord has a domestic energy meter, or you pay electricity bills directly to an energy supplier. Such as, British Gas or EDF.

If you’ve already had Energy Bills Support Scheme payments. This is 6 automatic monthly payments or prepayment meter vouchers of £66 or £67 from your energy supplier, from October 2022. If you think you should have received the automatic payments but have not, contact your energy supplier.

You also cannot apply for a discount if you live:

  • in purpose-built student accommodation
  • in a care home where all your fees are paid by the local council or NHS
  • on a boat as a continuous cruiser (currently under review)
  • on a non-permanent caravan or mobile home site (currently under review)
  • in accommodation provided by your employer (such as seasonal workers, ‘service occupiers’, security guards, building caretakers)
  • in a building where you are acting as a property guardian
  • in business premises, such as a pub or hotel, where your address is the same as the business address
     

Check if you can apply and make an application

To check eligibility, and apply for the Energy Bill Support Scheme Alternative Fund, please visit Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically - GOV.UK.

If you need help to apply

If you cannot apply online or need help with your application, contact the helpline team on the details below. Please do not contact your local authority as they will be unable to assist with your application.

Email: alternativefunding@ebss.beis.gov.uk
Freephone: 0808 175 3287
Call Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm

! Scams useful links

Website: Government guidance on scams

There are several consumer-focused organisations which offer advice on how to protect yourself from scams, check if something is a scam, and how to report them. A selection of these is below:

Website: Action Fraud

Website: Which?

Website: Citizens Advice

Useful links:

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