What is the Energy Bills Support Scheme and how can I apply?

Households across the UK are in the grips of a cost of living crisis due to the soaring price of gas and energy, as well as groceries going up due to inflation.

Energy bills have shot up because of the increased demand on gas from European countries like Norway, from where the UK buys most of its gas supplies.

As the price cap soars by 80% to reach £3,549 by October, the UK government is doing its bit to help households.

As part of an £11.7 billion scheme which forms part of a wider £37 billion cost of living assistance package for consumers over winter 2022 to 2023, people can expect help from the Bills Support Scheme.

Here’s what’s eligible and how to apply…

What is the Bills Support Scheme?

Around 29 million households will receive £400 off their energy bills under the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

This discount will not need to be repaid.

From October, a discount of £66 will be applied to monthly energy bills, rising to £67 a month from December through to March 2023.

Eligibility is broad, as all households with a domestic electricity connection in Great Britain will receive the discount.

How to apply for the Bills Support Scheme

The good news is that the discount will be applied automatically to any household with a domestic electricity connection.

There is no need to contact your energy suppliers unless the deduction has not been applied after October.

The payments work as follows:

Direct debit customers will receive the discount automatically as a reduction to the monthly direct debit amount collected, or as a refund to the customer’s bank account following direct debit collection during each month of delivery

Standard credit customers and payment card customers will see the discount automatically applied as a credit to standard credit customers’ accounts in the first week of each month of delivery, with the credit appearing as it would if the customer had made a payment

Smart prepayment meter customers will see the discount credited directly to their smart prepayment meters in the first week of each month of delivery

Traditional prepayment meter customers will be provided with redeemable vouchers or Special Action Messages (SAMs) from the first week of each month, issued via SMS text, email or post. Customers will need to take action to redeem these at their usual top-up point.

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