Energy Bill Support Scheme - Alternative Fund
The Energy Bill Support Scheme - Alternative Fund is a government scheme to assist people with energy costs.
It is for people who have not benefited from the £400 reduction in their electricity bills under the main Energy Bills Discount Scheme because their electricity is paid by a third party.
Eligibility
The following people may be eligible to apply:
- care home residents
- residents of park homes
- 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
You can find out more about the £400 energy bill discount on GOV.UK.
Who will not qualify
You will not qualify if you live in a property where the £400 reduction in the electricity charge has already been made to the person paying the electricity bill.
If you are in this category, you should speak to the person who pays the bill and ask them to pass the benefit of it on to you.
If you think you should have got a payment but have not, contact your energy supplier.
You also cannot apply for a discount if you live:
- in purpose-built student accommodation
- in a care home and do not pay any of your fees
- on a boat with a continuous cruising licence
- on a non-permanent caravan or mobile home site
How you can claim
The scheme is being administered by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. You will need to apply to them through the GOV.UK website.
⚠ You will need to make your application by 31 May 2023.
How your application will be processed
You will need to provide:
- your name
- your address
- details of a bank account into which you wish the payment to be made
The government will check whether the electricity bill payer for the address has already received the £400 reduction. They will pass the details of anyone that has not had a reduction to us.
We will then check our records and computer systems to confirm your address.
When your details are successfully verified we will pay the £400 directly into the bank account you have provided.
We will make all payments to qualifying people before the scheme ends on 7 July 2023.
Who can I talk to about this
If you cannot apply online or you have a question, call the government helpline.
Telephone: 0808 175 3287
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Email: alternativefunding@ebss.beis.gov.uk
Please do not phone or contact us (Uttlesford District Council) about the scheme, as we will be unable to answer any questions.
Privacy
Read the government's Privacy Notice - Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) Alternative Funding service (Great Britain) on GOV.UK
Read our Alternative energy support schemes privacy notice.
Fraud telephone calls and emails
You are encouraged to be alert as fraudsters may target the Energy Bill Support Scheme.
There have been reports that fraudsters are contacting people by phone and requesting bank details to access the new rebate payment.
We will not call you and ask you to provide your bank details over the phone.
Contact us on 01799 510510 or email us at uconnect@uttlesford.gov.uk if you are concerned about any contact you have received about the Energy Bill Support Scheme.