Energy Bills Support Scheme – Alternative Funding (EBSS-AF)
Please note that this scheme is now closed for applications
This is aimed at those not benefiting from the Government Energy Support scheme (£400 reduction on electricity bills). These residents live in households with no domestic electricity meter or do not have a direct relationship with an energy supplier.
Applications under this scheme will need to be made online via the Gov.Uk website, where you will be required to provide certain information and supporting documents.
To make an application and for further eligibility criteria please visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-energy-bill-support-if-not-automatic
If you cannot apply online or need help with your application, you will need to contact the helpline team.
Email: alternativefunding@ebss.beis.gov.uk
Telephone: 0808 175 3287
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Councils are then being asked to make the £400 support payments to applicants through their bank accounts once appropriate checks have been made.
Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP)
Please note that this scheme is now closed for applications
The additional £200 for those who do not heat their homes with gas and instead use oil, solid fuel, biomass or bottled gas named the Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) will be available in March. The Government have confirmed that most households eligible for AFP support will receive payment automatically via their electricity supplier in March, with no further action needed. Those households who will need to apply for the AFP, for example because they do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier, will be able to do so in March, through the same GOV.UK portal as the EBSS Alternative Funding scheme.
The Government has advised that potentially eligible households should not contact the Council until we receive further instructions on how the EBSS AFP scheme payments will be administered.
The Government has committed to opening the scheme for applications by the 6th of March. We will update this page once we have received further information from Central Government.