OVER 900,000 households can now claim £400 in free energy bill cash direct to bank accounts.
The funding is designed to support homes that don’t have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier.
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It’s also available for households who get their energy through a commercial contract or who are off-grid.
It comes after it was unclear how certain homes would receive the £400 energy bill discount which is paid to 30 million households automatically.
After the policy was first announced last year it became clear that some 900,000 households were discovered to be ineligible for the automatic discount.
While the government confirmed last November that these households would still be able to get £400 off their bills – an application process would need to be established.
Those that heat their homes through a district heating network or who live in park homes would need to apply for the free cash.
The Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has confirmed that applications for the scheme are now live on the government website.
To check eligibility and apply for the £400 of support, people need to search for “apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically” in the search bar on Gov.UK or in an internet search engine.
You’ll be eligible to apply for the £400 energy bill discount if your main home is:
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- 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
- In a separate domestic home within a non-domestic property (such as a farmhouse or a flat above a shop)
If you meet the criteria to apply visit the government website and have your email address, phone number and bank account details to hand.
After you apply, your local council will check you live at the address you included in your application.
You’ll be told about the progress of your application by email or letter. You should get a response within six weeks.
If you’re eligible, your council will arrange a one-off cash payment direct to your bank account.
Households will not need to repay this money.
The exact date that an eligible household will receive support will depend on when the application is made and when the payment can be processed by the relevant local authority.
Amanda Solloway, Minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Amanda Solloway, said: “We understand the pressure households are under which is why we’ve already stepped in to pay around half of people’s energy bills this winter, and from today, thousands more will be able to apply securely for their £400.
“Today I’m urging everyone who couldn’t get their £400 discounts in the regular way to apply via our secure channels.
“If you don’t have a direct contract with an electricity supplier, it’s essential you submit your application as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner help can get to you.”
Who doesn’t need to apply for the cash?
Those that pay for their energy directly via direct debit, on receipt of bills or through a prepayment meter don’t need to apply for the £400 energy bill discount.
These households have already been receiving instalments worth £67 and £66 as part of the wider energy bill rebate scheme.
However, the way you’re paid the £400 discount will vary depending on who your energy supplier is, as well as the way in which you’re billed.
Each energy supplier also has the freedom to decide how it will apply the discount to your energy meter.
The discount is automatic and made up of six instalments, which started being paid in October.
Check with your energy supplier to see how you’re paid the discount.
Renters who pay their bills included have also been given new protections to ensure that they receive the £400 energy bills discount.
A “pass-through requirement” for energy price support is there to direct landlords to pass on some or all of the support they get from the energy bill support scheme.
They should do this as soon as they can. You should not need to do anything to get this support.
Your landlord must tell you in writing within 30 days of getting the support:
- How much you will get and why
- What you can do if you disagree
If you do not agree with the support they have passed to you, write to your landlord.
If you’re still not happy, you can make a claim for money against them at a county court.
What other energy bill help is available?
The Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Fund – a similar scheme for households who use alternative fuels as their main source of heating will be live by March 6.
This will help people who use alternative energy sources such as heating oil, biomass and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to heat their homes, but who were unable to receive the government’s £200 Alternative Fuel Payment automatically via their electricity supplier.
Of nearly two million people who use these sources as the main means to heat their homes, around 15% will need to apply through a similar Gov.UK portal which will shortly open to applications.
As part of the Autumn Statement, it was revealed millions on benefits and Universal Credit will receive an extra one-off payment of £900.
Struggling families are also eligible for the Warm House Discount to help them tackle the cost of living.
The scheme is where eligible households can get £150 off their electricity bill each winter – but you’ll have to wait until the colder months to get the discount.
Households in England and Wales don’t need to apply to get the cash and they’ll automatically qualify if they are receiving certain benefits.
You can read more about who’s eligible in our guide.
There are also plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out if you’re struggling:
- British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Family Fund
- British Gas Energy Trust
- EDF Customer Support Fund
- E.ON and E.ON Next Grants
- Octopus Energy Assist Fund
- OVO Energy
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund
There’s also a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you’re on a prepayment meter.
