Who is eligible for £400 energy support as May 31 deadline approaches?

The deadline for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Fund is nearing (Picture: Getty Images)

Despite some recent good news on inflation, high energy bills are a concern for many as the cost of living crisis goes on.

The government’s Energy Price Guarantee is in place until June 2023, but the Energy Bills Support Scheme discount ended in March.

There is welcome news for some, though – as an online portal has been set up for the scheme’s Alternative Funding.

Around 900,000 more households are able to apply for a £400 discount if they did not originally receive it. However, the May 31 deadline for applications is fast approaching.

So, who is eligible, and how can you apply?

What is the £400 energy payment?

Households with a domestic electricity connection in England, Scotland and Wales were eligible for the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

It was a £400 energy bill discount that many of us received over the space of six months – from October 2022 to March 2023 – in £66 or £67 instalments.

If you didn’t get the automatic discount, see if you’re entitled to apply for the £400 through the Alternative Fund (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

This was automatically applied in most cases, going straight to energy suppliers to lower bills. In some cases, depending on how you paid for energy, it arrived in the form of vouchers.

Now, there’s a £400 payment from the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Fund available.

It’s a one-off sum, with the £400 paid directly to the individual. It is designed to help some households that did not get the original Energy Bills Support Scheme discount.

Who is eligible for the £400 energy payment?

Essentially, it’s available for people who have certain living situations and pay for their energy usage but haven’t received the winter discount.

Gov.uk says people living in the following could be eligible for the money:

A residential park home

On a boat on a permanent residential mooring

On a permanent Gypsy and Traveller site

Part of a heat network without an electricity meter

In social or private rented accommodation which has a business energy connection or a communal electricity supply

Off the mains electricity or gas grid

In a care home or assisted living facility and you pay for some or all of your care (directly or through loss of pension or other benefits)

In a separate domestic home within a non-domestic property (such as a farmhouse or a flat above a shop).

Could you be eligible for energy support? (Picture: Getty Images)

It does have to be your main, permanent home, and you’ll need a fixed address in either England, Scotland or Wales, too.

Some people won’t be eligible, such as those living in purpose-built student accommodation, or people in care homes who have their fees paid for by the NHS or local council.

How can you apply for the £400 energy payment?

You can apply on gov.uk here if you live in England, Scotland or Wales.

The deadline for applications is May 31, 2023 – so don’t delay in getting yours in if you think you’re entitled to it.

If you know someone who can’t apply online themselves, you can apply on their behalf, or you can call helpline 0808 175 3287 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

As part of the application, you’ll need to provide an email address or phone number (if you’ve got one) as well as details for a UK bank account in your name.

This £400 support can be applied for online until May 31 (Picture: Getty Images/EyeEm)

You may also need proof of address if you aren’t registered for council tax, and for those in a care home, other documents will be needed for the application process.

There’s a different support scheme for people in Northern Ireland. Eligibility information and the application can be found on NI Direct.

How will the £400 energy payment be made?

According to gov.uk: ‘You’ll be told about the progress of your application by email or letter. You should get a response within six weeks.

‘If you’re eligible, your council will arrange a one-off payment. You do not need to repay this money.’

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It’s an alternative fund for the original Energy Bills Support Scheme.