Households to get free £600 energy help this month - see who is eligible
As the energy crisis continues to rage on, millions of households across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have not actually received help with their energy bills under the Government's current scheme.
However, this is about to change as those who have missed out are set to receive financial support.
The groups that are targeted in the latest round of energy help are residents of Northern Ireland, along with those who use live in park homes such as caravans, and those using alternative fuels.
We explain everything you need to know, including who is eligible and when the payments are roughly expected.
Northern Ireland has its own energy market with its own rules, regulated by the Utility Regulator, whereas energy prices are regulated in England, Scotland and Wales through the Ofgem Price Cap (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Northern Ireland energy support payments
If your household pays for energy by direct debit then you should have £600 paid into your bank account automatically by your electricity supplier.
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This is similar to how the energy support scheme works in the rest of the UK.
The first payment is for £400, which is the same discount all households in the UK have received through the Energy Bills Support Scheme, then there will be an additional £200 on top.
This extra payment is in recognition of the reliance on alternative fuels such as heating oil in Northern Ireland
The Government has confirmed that payments will be received “from January” for direct debit households.
If you do not pay by direct debit then you will receive a voucher in order to claim the money.
According to the Post Office, there are around half a million households in Northern Ireland and they should start receiving their vouchers again from around January 16 over a few weeks.
Similar to the UK’s scheme, the energy vouchers will be redeemable at any Post Office counter and will be valid until March 31. The voucher can also reissued if they are lost.
To redeem your voucher at the Post Office, you'll need to take along the voucher, the letter from your supplier issued with your voucher, proof of address dated before 2 January 2023, and photo ID.
Keypad customers will also need to bring their keypad app or top up card.
Park home, houseboat and care homes
If you live in a park home, a houseboat, off-grid or in care homes, in England, Scotland or Wales, you will be due to receive a payment of £400 to help with the cost of energy.
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However, you will need to apply for the money.
The Government has said that "applications will open in January" but however has not clarified exactly when this will be.
They have also not explained how the £400 payments will be received by eligible households.
This payment is the same payment for all households in England
The £400 help is also available to those who live in park homes, houseboats, off-grid or in a care homes (Getty Images)If you pay your bills through your landlord
The £400 energy bill scheme is also available to those who pay their bills through their landlord via a commercial contract.
To apply for the money, you will likely need to go to Gov.uk and apply through there or to a dedicated customer helpline.
Once processed, your details will be shared with your local council and the payment will be made in one instalment.
The Government said last month that it will be publishing details on eligibility and opening a portal on GOV.UK, offering a "short online application process" for eligible households to apply for the £400 support.
It also hopes to start making payments to several councils in mid-January with a view to widening the rollout in late January.
If you use heating oil, LPG or alternative fuels
If you use a different fuel source you are due to receive a payment of £200 from next month however you may need to apply to get it.
The Government has not announced specific details for this payment by has said it will be for households in England, Scotland or Wales that use heating oil, have an LPG boiler, biomass boiler or use a similar alternative fuel to heat their home.
The Government has confirmed that the payment will come in Febraury rather than “in the New Year” when originally announced.
The one-off £200 grant, which is on top of the £400 support payment, will be paid automatically through your electricity supplier if you have a direct relationship with one.
However, if you're fully “off the grid” you will need to apply though a Gov.uk portal that's due to launch for applications next month.
The Government are yet to confirm how it will identify those who will be eligible for the payment as there is no register for people who do not use mains gas for the heating.
They have also not confirmed how the payments will be made.
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