The UK Government has confirmed that eligible households across Great Britain eligible for the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment will start to receive the financial support “as soon as possible” from February 1, 2023.
The one-off payment is aimed at helping ease the cost of soaring heating bills this winter for around two million homes across Great Britain who do not use mains gas. This includes households using oil, coal, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and biomass to heat their homes.
The UK Government has said that the “vast majority” of alternative fuel customers who have an electricity account, will not have to take any action to receive the one-off payment of £200 as it will be made automatically. Energy Minister Graham Stuart MP, recently said that here will be a “small number of customers who are unable to receive the funding automatically” however, there will be a route for them to apply.
Mr Stuart said: “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.”
Earlier this week, he also said that the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has been working “at pace” with energy suppliers in advance of households receiving the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment.
A draft guidance for the scheme has also been shared with energy suppliers which he said would be published “in due course”.
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