The UK government has today (27 February) announced a new online portal that will allow Northern Ireland households without a direct relationship to a domestic electricity supplier to apply for a £600 lump sum towards their energy bills as part of the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF).
After confirming additional support schemes for households amidst the energy crisis in December 2022, the UK government announced all households in Northern Ireland will receive a single £600 payment, consisting of £400 provided under the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme Northern Ireland (EBSS NI) and £200 from the Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP).
So far, the support is said to have reached “the majority of households across Northern Ireland” since it began rolling out on 16 January 2023.
The new online government portal is set to ensure that the over 28,000 households without a direct relationship with a domestic electricity supplier (such as park homes or care home residents) will also be able to benefit from the funding.
For those without internet service, a dedicated helpline has also been set up to help eligible customers.
“Hundreds of thousands of households across Northern Ireland have already felt the benefit of our help with their energy bills, but this online portal is the final piece of the puzzle to make sure the final few who don’t have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier can apply for their £600 of support,” said Amanda Solloway, minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
“It’s simple and easy to do and I want every household entitled to this to get your application in as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner help can get to you.”
The application process will be administered in Northern Ireland by the government’s contracted delivery partner. Payments will be delivered directly into customers’ bank accounts by UKSBS, the government’s finance partner.
“Welcome news for those Northern Ireland households without a direct relationship to a domestic energy supplier, with people able to apply for £600 support from today,” said Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris.
“I urge all those eligible to apply online or to get in touch through the telephone helpline as soon as possible.”