Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically

Most households in England, Scotland and Wales get a £400 discount on their energy bills automatically. In some cases, you do not get the discount automatically, for example if you:

  • pay for energy through a landlord, housing manager or site owner
  • live in a park home, houseboat or off the electricity grid

Use this service to apply for the discount if you do not get it automatically. You can only make one application per household.

There’s a different way to apply for energy bill support in Northern Ireland.

Eligible homes

You may be eligible to apply if your main home is:

  • 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)

Who cannot apply

Most households get the £400 support automatically. You do not need to apply if you or your landlord:

  • has a domestic energy meter
  • pay your bills directly to an energy supplier (such as British Gas or EDF)

You cannot apply if you’ve already had Energy Bills Support Scheme payments. This is 6 automatic monthly payments or prepayment meter vouchers of £66 or £67 from your energy supplier, from October 2022.

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 where all your fees are paid by the local council or NHS
  • on a boat as a continuous cruiser (currently under review)
  • on a non-permanent caravan or mobile home site (currently under review)
  • in accommodation provided by your employer (such as seasonal workers, ‘service occupiers’, security guards, building caretakers)
  • in a building where you are acting as a property guardian
  • in business premises, such as a pub or hotel, where your address is the same as the business address

Before you start

You can apply if:

  • you pay for the energy your household uses
  • you’re applying for your main, permanent home

You will need:

  • an email address or phone number (if you have one)
  • your bank account details (a UK current account in your name)

If you’re not registered for Council Tax

You’ll need to upload proof of address (such as a full, current UK driving licence or tenancy agreement) as part of your application.

If you live in a care home

You’ll also need to upload either:

  • an invoice for your care home fees from the past 3 months
  • an official document from the care home including your name and address, a funding statement and the name and address of the care home

Check your eligibility and apply online

If you’re applying on behalf of someone else, answer questions with their details rather than your own.

Start now

What you need to know

After you apply, your local council will check you live at the address you apply for.

You’ll be told about the progress of your application by email or letter. You should get a response within 6 weeks.

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

If you need help to apply

If you cannot apply online or need help with your application, contact the helpline team.

Email: alternativefunding@ebss.beis.gov.uk
Telephone: 0808 175 3287
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
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