Exact dates millions of households will get up to £200 energy bill help this spring as payments start going out today
MILLIONS of households can now get up to £200 as another form of energy bill support.
The Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) scheme will reach roughly 2.5million households off the gas grid.
The UK government has announced those who are eligible will get the £200 today, whilst businesses who are off the grid will get a separate £150 on March 10.
To be off the gas grid means you don't use mains gas. That means you'll only get the cash if you warm your home using alternative energy sources such as heating oil, biomass and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
It comes after Jeremy Hunt announced he would double the amount of support for those using alternative fuels to heat their homes from £100 to £200 in his Autumn Statement.
More than 1.6million are thought to currently rely on heating oil, including those in rural homes.
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If this is you, you likely won't need to do anything. The £200 will be credited onto your electricity bill from today.
However, if you live in park homes or on static houseboats with no direct energy supplier, you'll need to apply through an online portal on the government website.
This hasn't launched yet, but should do later in the month. You'll just need to enter your household bank details into the portal, so have them handy. It should also provide a more detailed list of households needing to apply.
You'll also need to do this if you're on the gas grid but without a gas connection and using alternative fuels as your main heating source.
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And if you're a business running off the grid, including shops, offices, libraries, schools, hospitals, factories and farms, you'll need to wait until March 10, although the £150 could arrive earlier.
You might need to apply on the portal for this too, so you'll need your Meter Point Access Number (MPAN) handy.
But instructions should become clearer on the portal this month.
Minister for energy and climate Graham Stuart said: "Our main energy bill support schemes have seen millions of homes and businesses across the country get much needed help to cover costs, with figures today showing nearly £3 billion in government support has been paid out to business to date.
"Now we’re getting support to those remaining few that are off the gas grid and most difficult to reach.
"I am determined to see households and businesses of all stripes protected from global pressures this winter – whether that’s those living in a houseboat, park home or operating a rural hospital or school."
More energy support
If you're not eligible for the £200 or £150 for business, there's more you can receive.
For example, there's the £400 payment which has been split into six monthly instalments.
Payments have been made since October, and the final payment will be made in March.
For the majority of energy customers, their monthly bills are automatically discounted.
However, households with traditional pre-payment meters are being sent vouchers to redeem at their nearest top-up point instead.
Also, millions on benefits are in line for up to £1,350 in free cash from spring.
The help is aimed to help soften the blow of high energy bills, food costs and other necessities.
The first chunk of the will be paid directly into claimants' accounts.
Unlike last year's help, this cost of living payment will be paid in three, not two, instalments.
More than eight million people will get the help directly to their bank accounts, and the £900 help will be paid over the financial year.
And don't forget to keep checking your local council for the Household Support Fund scheme.
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It's a £421million scheme which every local council in England has access to.
You may be eligible for a chunk of cash to go towards essential costs - so do check your council website when you can.