As nearly a million people wait to receive help with their energy bills amid the cost of living crisis, the UK Government has confirmed that the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) is currently in its pilot phase. According to reports, it will be accepting live applications in some pilot local authority areas ahead of a nationwide rollout next week.
Most households in England, Scotland and Wales receive a £400 fuel discount automatically. However, those who pay for energy through a landlord, housing manager or site owner, and those who live in a park home, houseboat or are off the electricity grid, have to apply for the discount.
As the roll-out of the live application process begins, Energy and Climate Minister Graham Stuart MP said this is helping to “refine the end-to-end user journey before full scheme launch”. He also said that the online application portal, and accompanying contact centre helpline, will be open to all eligible households by next Monday, February 27.
