I know that some of my constituents have been awaiting further updates relating to the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF), and I welcome that households without a direct relationship to a domestic electricity supplier, such as those living in park homes and care homes, will now be able to apply for the £400 government support with their energy bills.
The launch of applications follows months of close work with stakeholders across the country to deliver the government’s help for households with the cost of living. The alternative funding route is the latest in a range of targeted measures which are covering around half of a typical household’s energy bills this winter. Over £7.2 billion has been provided so far to 97% of households across England, Scotland and Wales through monthly instalments, which most households receive automatically in the same way they pay these bills. The alternative funding route is designed to make sure the same level of support reaches those without a direct relationship to an electricity supplier. It’s also available for households who get their energy through a commercial contract or who are off-grid.
To ensure people feel the benefit of this support as quickly as possible, the payment will be provided directly into people’s bank accounts.
Ministers are today urging all eligible households to apply as soon as possible for their support, whilst also warning households to stay alert to potential scams and report them to relevant authorities where they are suspected.
Eligible households can apply through the Government’s online application portal for the scheme to receive the support as a one-off, non-repayable lump sum. This can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/apply-energy-bill-support-if-not-automatic.
For households without access to online forums, you can call the service by contacting 0808 1753 287.
Constituents reliant on sources, such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or tank or bottled gas, should have now started receiving payments as credit on their electricity bills.
However, if you are in an area which is mainly connected to the gas grid or not connected to either the gas or the electricity grid you may have to apply for this payment through the AFP Alternative Fund if you do not get it automatically. Applications for a similar online portal to the EBSS AF will open in early March, and more information can be found on the Government’s website here: https://www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills/alternative-fuels.
