The UK Government has shared new updates on how the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) will be administered and delivered, in response to written queries from several MPs. The application portal is expected to open on or before February 27, 2023.
Energy and Climate Minister Graham Stuart MP confirmed on Thursday that the one-off, non-repayable lump sum will be delivered by 363 local authorities across Scotland, England and Wales, providing financial support to around 900,000 households without a direct relationship with a domestic electricity supplier.
He also said that guidance on the payment will be sent to local authorities ahead of the application portal opening, but couldn’t give an exact date on when the money will land in bank accounts as it will depend on how long it takes for a local council to process the application. Eligibility guidelines will be published on the application portal when it opens at the end of the month.
A dedicated phoneline is also due to open on February 27 to help those who do not have internet access and are unable to complete the short application form online.
No details about the portal have been released yet, other than it will be on GOV.UK.
Mr Stuart said : “The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) will be delivered by Local Authorities in Great Britain, and a contracted delivery partner in Northern Ireland, rather than private energy suppliers.
“We are expecting to pay Local Authorities and the contracted delivery partner ahead of scheme launch, or as soon after that as we receive their payment details, which we have requested.
“The exact date that an eligible household will receive support will depend on when the application is made and when the payment can be processed by the relevant Local Authority.”
We also post daily updates about the payment on the Daily Record Money Saving Scotland Facebook group.
Who can claim the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding?
Online applications are scheduled to open on February 27 for households in Scotland, England and Wales who are eligible for the £400 one-off payment to submit their details.
Payments to households that meet the eligibility criteria - including people who get their energy through a commercial contract or who are off-grid - will be made by local authorities in Great Britain.
The UK Government said this is likely to include:
- care home residents
- park home residents
- tenants in certain private and social rented homes
- homes supplied via private wires
- residents of caravans and houseboats on registered sites
- farmers living in domestic farmhouses
- off-grid households
Once households have applied to receive support and their applications have been processed and verified, eligible applicants' details will be shared with local authorities who will deliver the one-off, non-repayable support.
Applicants will only be able to submit information through the GOV.UK portal when it opens this month and should not contact their local authority directly as they will not be able to offer any more information.
The UK Government also said that the exact date that an eligible household will receive support will depend on when the application is made and when the payment can be processed by the relevant local authority.
As already, mentioned in the article, a dedicated phoneline will also launch on February 27 for those unable to apply online.
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