The UK Government has announced that households across Great Britain that are eligible for the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment will start to receive the financial support “as soon as possible” after February 1, 2023. The one-off payment is aimed at helping ease the cost of soaring energy bills this winter.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said that the “vast majority” of payments will be made automatically through the household’s electricity supplier, so there’s no need to apply. However, Climate Minister Graham Stuart MP, also said that there will be a “small number of customers” such as those living off grid without a direct electricity supply, who will not be able to receive the payment automatically.
He indicated that the UK Government will ensure there is a way for affected households to manually apply for the £200 payment. Mr Stuart also confirmed that payments for households in Northern Ireland started at the beginning of January.
Mr Stuart said: “The vast majority of Alternative Fuel Payments eligible households in Great Britain will receive payment automatically via their electricity supplier with no need to take any action.
“There will be a small number of customers who are unable to receive the funding automatically, for instance households without a direct relationship with an electricity supplier, and the Government will ensure there is a route for those households to apply for and receive the £200 support. This support will be delivered in Great Britain as soon as possible after 1st February.”
He added: “The Government has decided to pay the Alternative Fuel Payment to all households in Northern Ireland. This will make sure households in Northern Ireland receive their Alternative Fuel Payment this winter. Suppliers will be able to begin payments in Northern Ireland from the beginning of January.”
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