Energy bills: New scheme launches today to give Britons £400 discount

The Government is keen to make sure Britons are helped as soon as possible.
The Government is keen to make sure Britons are helped as soon as possible.
Peter Byrne
George McMillan

By George McMillan


Published: 27/02/2023

- 10:05

Close to one million people across the UK are expected to benefit from the Government scheme

Nearly one million British homes will see a huge discount on their energy bills thanks to a new scheme launched today aimed at helping people with the cost of living crisis.

The scheme applied to those who do not have a direct energy supply, such as care home residents or people living in care homes, houseboats or off-grid homes.

It amounts to more than 900,000 people across the UK.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) can be applied for online through the Government website and opens today.

The Government is keen to make sure Britons are helped as soon as possible, so the payment will be put directly into people’s bank accounts.

File photo dated 08/01/22 of a person holding an energy bill. The number of people who cannot afford their energy bills will double, Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said. She told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: %22For most people, on average, we're going to see a 900 increase in people's bills. %22Now we know that that's going to be unsustainable for very many people. We estimate that the number of people who simply won't be able to afford their energy bills will double. Issue date: Monday February 27, 2023.
The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding can be applied for online through the Government. website
Danny Lawson

It is aimed to provide the same level of support currently being provided to the rest of the UK, with the Government claiming it has put more than £7.2billion into helping 97 per cent of households across England.

This applies to people with a direct relationship with their energy supplier.

The Government has urged people to sign up to the scheme to ease the cost of living burden.

Minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Amanda Solloway, said: “We understand the pressure households are under which is why we’ve already stepped in to pay around half of people’s energy bills this winter, and from today, thousands more will be able to apply securely for their £400.

“Today I’m urging everyone who couldn’t get their EBSS discounts in the regular way to apply via our secure channels. If you don’t have a direct contract with an electricity supplier, it’s essential you submit your application as soon as possible.

“The sooner you do, the sooner help can get to you.”

If an application is successful, it will be passed onto the local authority who will distribute the payment.

The energy sources that people will be offered the subsidy for include heating oil, biomass and liquefied petroleum gas.

Minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Amanda Solloway.
Minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Amanda Solloway.
GOV.UK

To check eligibility and apply for the £400 of support, people need to search for “Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically”.

It comes as Ofgem announced it would be lowering its energy price cap from £4,279 per year to £3,280 for the average household.

The changes will take effect from April 1.

Domestic energy bills are still set to rise by an average of £500 a year despite the reduction as the Government’s support for households becomes more limited.

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