Government Energy Bills Support Alternative Funding

Warwick District Council is urging households and individuals who use alternative fuels for heating, to see if they can apply for funding under a new ‘alternative’ scheme.

The Government’s Alternative Fuels Payment Alternative Funding (APF AF) is providing £200 in support of the rising costs associated with heating your home for households in England, Scotland, and Wales. This funding is provided by His Majesty’s Government and will be distributed through your local authority. The scheme is now open to all eligible households across Great Britain with a closing date of 31 May 2023.

Most households will automatically get a £200 Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP) if they:
· are in England, Scotland or Wales
· use alternative fuels for most of their heating, such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG), oil or solid fuel
· are connected to the electricity grid

If you do not get it automatically, use this service to apply for £200 support to help pay for alternative fuels. You can only make one application per household.

Eligible homes
You may be eligible to apply if you use alternative fuels for heating. Your main home must also be:
· in 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
· part of a business property (such as a farm or a flat above a shop)

Who cannot apply
Most households automatically get the £200 payment as a credit on their electricity bill from their supplier. You cannot apply if you’ve already had an automatic Alternative Fuels Payment.
If you think you should have got a payment but have not, contact your electricity supplier.
You also cannot apply if you live:
· in purpose-built student accommodation
· in a care home
· 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’re acting as a property guardian
· in business premises, such as a pub or hotel, where your address is the same as the business address
Before you start
You can apply if:
· you pay for the energy your household uses
· you’re applying for your main, permanent home
You will need:
· an email address or phone number (if you have one)
· your bank account details
· proof that you’ve spent £200 on alternative fuels to heat your home since September 2022 (for example, a delivery note or receipt)

If you’re not registered for Council Tax
You’ll need to upload proof of address (such as a full, current UK driving licence or tenancy agreement) as part of your application.
Those who are eligible for APF (AF), will need to fill out a short online form via the GOV.UK website. This form can be found by searching “Apply for alternative fuel support if you do not get it automatically” into the search bar on GOV.UK or an internet search engine. Applications are made directly to His Majesty’s Government, not to or via your local authority (Warwick District Council). If you do not have online access, you can apply via a contact centre on 0808 175 3287 where a representative will guide you through the application process.

Once you have applied, your application will be processed and verified. After this if your application is successful, your details will be shared with your local authority, who will deliver the one-off, nonrepayable support. The payment will be made directly into your bank account in a single instalment.

Warwick District Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources Councillor Richard Hales commented:
“With spiralling heating costs, we know that many in our district are struggling, we therefore strongly recommend that households and individuals who think that they qualify for this alternative fuel support to visit the GOV.UK or call the helpline number at the earliest opportunity.”
Further information can be found on by visiting the GOV.UK website.

For cost-of-living help, advice and support visit warwickdc.gov.uk/costofliving