The BH&HPA have recently updated all of their members with the current information on what is going on with all of the government electricity and support grants and so we have listed all of this information below for you to go over:
Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS)
In addition to the EBRS, Government is currently working through ‘the most practical and tested routes available’ to ensure that all households ‘not on standard gas or electricity contracts, such as those living in park homes’ will receive support equivalent to the Energy Bills Support Scheme. This to be the equivalent of the £400 discount being applied to households with a domestic electricity connection in England, Wales and Scotland.
BH&HPA is seeking urgent clarification from Government as to when and how this will be paid.
LPG and Heating Oil
The Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) will provide a one-off payment to UK households that use alternative fuels for heating, such as heating oil or LPG, instead of mains gas. This £100 payment will ensure that all households who do not benefit from the Energy Price Guarantee (for electricity and mains gas), receive support for the cost of the fuel they use.
The Government’s Energy Bills Factsheet (updated on 1 November 2022) confirms that ‘households who are eligible for but who do not receive AFP or the £100 heat network payment, because they do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier will receive the £100 via the AFP Alternative Fund which will be provided by a designated body’.
BH&HPA is again seeking urgent clarification on how, and when, this will be paid.
Government Schemes and Benefits
There are a number of Government schemes which aim to help vulnerable households, and homeowners/tenants may wish to check if they are eligible for any of the following:
- Winter Fuel Payment – a fuel payment for people born on or before 25 September 1956
- Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, to be paid alongside the Winter Fuel Payment
- Winter fuel support scheme – an annual payment for Welsh households in receipt of certain benefits.
- Cold Weather Payment – a payment for every 7 days of very cold weather between November and March (England and Wales) or Winter Heating Payment (Scotland)
- Household Support Fund – a funding package to help vulnerable households. Contact your local council for advice and help on accessing the fund.
- Cost of Living Payment for households on means tested benefits
- Disability Cost of Living Payment for people who get certain disability benefits.
BH&HPA is continuing to make representations to Government seeking urgent clarification for residential park owners and those living on residential parks. We will update members as soon as further Government guidance is published.
