A highly-anticipated hardship fund to help people struggling to pay their home heating bills is set to be rolled out on Tuesday December 6, it has been confirmed.
Derry City and Strabane District Council have confirmed that the Emergency Fuel Support Programme will open for referrals on Tuesday December 6, 2022 at 9.30am.
The referral form and details on how to make a referral were posted on the Council’s website on Monday.
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In a statement, a council spokesperson said: "This programme due to its limited budget, will not be able to support everyone who is in need given the scale of the current crisis and it is important to note that it is aimed specifically at those in an emergency situation and in genuine need.
"Advice NW and RCD Carnhill has been appointed by Council to undertake the eligibility checks while the Bryson Group was appointed as the Council’s fuel payment partner to provide the payments.
"The programme seeks to support 2,405 households across the council area with an emergency £100 payment towards an electricity bill/top up or an oil top up."
How can you apply for the scheme?
To be considered for financial support, a referral form must be completed and submitted to the Emergency Fuel Support Programme.
You can fill in the online form by clicking HERE or download and submit to one of the providers listed below. Applications made before this time will not be considered.
The referral forms will be available from and can be returned to:
• Council Offices at Strand Road, Derry or Derry Road, Strabane or to
• Advice NW, 5th Floor Embassy Building, Strand Road, Derry
• Advice NW, Dock Street, Strabane
• RCD (Carnhill) Racecourse Road, Derry
What are the Eligibility Criteria?
A household can only receive one emergency fuel payment under this programme and it must be based within the Derry City and Strabane District Council area.
To be considered eligible, a household must meet one of the following criteria and provide documentary evidence to demonstrate that they meet the criteria selected.
A full list HERE outlines the eligibility criteria and the documentary evidence required.
How many homes will be supported?
The Emergency Fuel Support Programme will be available to 2,405 homes across the Council area that are in an emergency situation with fuel poverty.
Each District Electoral Area has been allocated a percentage of the overall allocation based on the Council’s existing grant aid allocation template (of population, deprivation and rurality) as indicated below:
- Ballyarnett - 420
- Derg- 310
- Faughan - 241
- Foyleside - 248
- Moor - 374
- Sperrin - 202
- Strabane - 227
- Waterside - 383
If I am successful how will I get my fuel payment?
The Fuel Payment Partner (Bryson Energy) makes the payment of up £100 to the nominated energy supplier on behalf of the household or provides a credit voucher for top-up for the fuel type to the household.
The Fuel Payment Partner will notify the household when the payment has been made or to provide the top-up code or the voucher number for the oil.
A household who has requested oil will have 28 days to use their voucher code which provides them with some flexibility should they wish to purchase more than the £100 allocated through this programme. T
The council have said that the Oil Supplier will confirm to the Fuel Payment Partner once a delivery has been made.
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