Energy Grants & Assistance
Free, practical consumer advice and information on energy-related matters for the citizens of Scotland
Energy Grants, Payments, and Other Support
This fund supports vulnerable individuals and those in need, to help communities respond to the needs and challenges they are experiencing.
Who can apply?
- Individuals can apply to the fund through the ‘Household Application’ route on the Home Heating Support Fund Website.
- Application can also be made by trusted referral partners on behalf of their clients. Trusted referral partners for the project include local authorities and 3rd sector partners who are providing energy advice and/or approved money advice.
- Due to nature of fund, applicants cannot be disconnected already. If this is the case, they should be redirected to a more appropriate funding source.
How can an application be made?
- the homeheatingadvice.scot website.
- By calling 0808 800 9060
- support@homeheatingadvice.scot
What is Self-Rationing in regard to energy?
- Self-rationing of energy refers to customers deliberately limiting their energy use to spend money on other goods or services. Self-rationing affects both prepayment meter and credit meter customers.
What is self-disconnection?
- Prepayment meters store a certain amount of credit that is used up in exchange for energy.
- When credit on a prepayment meter runs out, no more energy can be used until more credit put on the meter.
- Exhausting all credit on a pre-payment meter is referred to as Self disconnection.
How is it paid?
- Once evidence has been checked, payment will be made directly to the energy supplier.
Home Energy Scotland offer free, impartial advice to help you stay warm at home, save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. Funded by the Scottish Government, Home Energy Scotland can also help you access financial support to make your home more efficient and cheaper to heat.
You can find out more at www.homeenergyscotland.org or call free on 0808 808 2282
The ECO scheme is aimed at people who live in housing that has a low energy efficiency rating and focuses on those who are vulnerable or have a low income. The current iteration of the scheme is ECO4, previously there was ECO, ECO1,ECO2, and ECO3
Under the ECO4 scheme customers may qualify for electric storage heaters, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, boiler replacement or repair, heat pumps, solar panels, and other energy efficiency measures.
You could be eligible for ECO if you receive at least one of the following benefits:
- Child Benefit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)
- Universal Credit
- Housing benefit
- Pension credit saving credit.
If you don’t fall into this category, you could still be eligible for funding through the ECO Plus and ECO Flex schemes.
If you are interested in ECO, you can contact an energy supplier who is obligated under the scheme, this doesn’t need to be your own supplier. Suppliers who are obligated are:
- British Gas
- Bulb
- E (Gas & Electricity) Ltd
- ON Energy (including Npower)
- Ecotricity
- EDF
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO (Including SSE Energy Services)
- Scottish Power
- Shell Energy (formerly First Utility and formerly Hudson)
- So Energy (Including ESB Energy)
- The Co-operative Energy
- The Utility Warehouse
- Utilita Energy Ltd
Eco +
ECO+ is an obligation for larger energy suppliers across Great Britain to give their customers grants for insulation to reduce home heating costs.
The scheme is aimed at low income and vulnerable households, including those in houses with poor energy efficiency, with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D or below and those in low council tax bands, in Scotland this will be anyone in bands A-E.
The ECO+ scheme will offer grant support for the install of insulation including:
- loft insulation
- pitched roof insulation.
- flat roof insulation
- under floor insulation
- solid floor insulation
- park home insulation
- room-in-roof insulation
- secondary heating controls
- cavity wall insulation
- solid wall insulation (both external and internal)
Applications for the ECO + scheme have yet to open but will be available through your energy supplier.
ECO Flex/ LA Flex
ECO Flex, sometimes known as Local Authority or LA Flex, was designed to assist those households who are on a low income but do not claim a qualifying benefit.
Households with poor EPC ratings, who are in fuel poverty or those who are vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home may be eligible. The scheme can help towards the cost of storage heaters, insulation, and boiler replacement.
In the ECO flex scheme, local authorities are able to identify households for support, in addition your energy supplier could submit to your local authority on your behalf for support.
Your GP could also refer you to the council for support if they have concerns about health conditions caused by or worsened by living in a cold home.
Applying for ECO4, ECO+ or ECO Flex
If you are interested in or think you might be eligible for any of the schemes you can contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visit their website at www.homeenergyscotland.org
What is the Domestic RHI Scheme?
The Domestic RHI refers to a government financial incentive which aims to promote the use of renewable heat.
People who join the scheme and adhere to its rules are given quarterly payments for seven years for how much clean and green renewable heat it is estimated their system produces.
In other words, you could expect to receive money towards renewable heating costs in your home.
Who is it designed for?
The scheme is available to anyone who can meet the joining requirements. It caters for households both off and on the gas grid.
What are the types of heating I can claim for?
You can claim for:
- Biomass boilers
- Solar water heating
- Certain heat pumps
What are the eligibility criteria for the scheme?
To apply for the scheme you must either:
- Own your home
- Be a private or social landlord
NOTE: New build properties will not normally be eligible. The only exception is if you are building your own home.
What would I expect to receive?
You can use the Domestic RHI payment calculator on the GOV.UK website to see how much you could potentially get.
How do I apply to this scheme?
You will be required to apply online through the Ofgem website (apply online).
Further Information is also made available to the public by Ofgem about the scheme.
Can I receive advice and support on this?
You can access further help through the agencies below:
Simple Energy Advice
Telephone: 0800 444 202
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
Home Energy Scotland
Telephone: 0808 808 2282
Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm
Saturday, 9am to 5pm
Is there a Non-Domestic Scheme available?
Please be aware that there is a separate RHI scheme which is designed for businesses, the public sector, and non-profit organisations that can you apply for. This is displayed within the next drop-down option below.
What is the Non-Domestic RHI Scheme?
NOTE: This scheme is closed to new applicants. However, there are some exceptions under which an application for accreditation or registration can be made post-scheme closure, including those who have been provided an extension application or have a Tariff Guarantee extended commission date.
The Non-Domestic RHI was a scheme designed to help businesses, public sector, and non-profit organisations meet the cost of installing renewable heat technologies.
What Types of Heating can be Applied for?
You can claim for:
- Biomass.
- Heat pumps (ground source, water source, and air source).
- Deep geothermal.
- Solar thermal collectors.
- Biomethane and biogas.
- Combined heat and power (CHP) systems.
Payments are made over 20 years and are based on the heat output of your system.
The money is paid through the Non-Domestic RHI Scheme (see the guidance on Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme on the Ofgem website).
What was the eligibility criteria to join this scheme?
You can apply if your equipment was installed on or after the 15th of July 2009.
Your equipment must also meet specific requirements (see the certain requirements criteria on the Ofgem website).
Further guidance in this area can be found here Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) | Ofgem on the Ofgem website.
Who can I speak to for further assistance?
Ofgem
RHI.Enquiry@ofgem.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 003 2289
Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm
Friday, 9am to 4:30pm
AFP(Alternative Fuel Payment)
The Alternative Fuel Payment is an additional payment from the government for any household that uses alternative fuels for heating. The payment is £200. Customers may be eligible for the payment if their home is not connected to the gas grid, and they use alternative fuels for heating.
If you believe that your Green Deal provider sold the scheme to you based on false information, for instance by saying it was free or exaggerating the energy saving benefits, then you may have been mis-sold Green Deal.
If you are having an issue with Green Deal payments or think that you were miss sold the Green Deal, the team at energyadvice.scot can help.
Call 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) or speak to the team online.
In most cases, the payment will be credited to an eligible person’s electricity account by their supplier, and they will not need to apply. The way they will receive the payment depends on how they pay for their energy, but in most cases will be the same method as they received Energy Bills Support Scheme payments.
Some suppliers will offer a refund of the credit so that it can be spent on alternative fuel instead of electricity, and customers can reach out to their supplier to see if this option is available.
The government will provide suppliers with a list of who they need to provide the payment to. Payment may not be automatic if a home is either in an area which is mainly connected to the gas grid or not connected to either the gas or the electricity grid.
In this case an application for payment is required through the AFP Alternative fund.
If you did not receive the payment automatically through your electricity supplier, you may still be entitled to apply. To be eligible you must be applying for your main home and be responsible for paying for the energy your household uses.
The main home must be:
- in 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
- part of a business property (such as a farm or a flat above a shop)
Customers cannot apply if:
- They have already received the £200 payment as a credit from their electricity supplier.
- They live in purpose-built student accommodation
- They live in a care home
- They live on a boat as a continuous cruiser (currently under review)
- They live on a non-permanent caravan or mobile home site (currently under review)
- They live in accommodation provided by your employer (such as seasonal workers, ‘service occupiers’, security guards, building caretakers)
- They live in a building where they’re acting as a property guardian
- They live in business premises, such as a pub or hotel, where their address is the same as the business address
Customers can apply online via the portal :
https://www.gov.uk/apply-alternative-fuel-bill-support-if-not-automatic
Applicants will need to supply:
• an email address or phone number (if they have one)
• bank account details.
• proof that they’ve spent £200 on alternative fuels to heat their home since September 2022 (for example, a delivery note or receipt)
• In addition, if they are not registered for Council Tax, they will need to provide proof of address.
• The team at energyadvice.scot can offer advice and support on a range of energy-related matters, including Alternative Fuel Payment and other sources of support that may be able to help.
• The team are available on 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).
I’ve received a payment in error. What do I do?
If you have received the payment and do not use an alternative fuel, you should contact your supplier to find out what their process is in this situation.
If you have received the payment and do not use an alternative fuel, you should contact your supplier to find out what their process is in this situation.
Feed-in Tariffs and The Green Deal
The Green Deal was a UK government scheme where money could be borrowed to pay for energy-saving home improvements. The type of energy-saving measure varied from double glazing, to insulation, to draught-proofing, to renewable energy generation installations like heat pumps and solar panels. Applications to the scheme ended in 2015 but you may still be paying back the loan. If you are unsure if you were part of the Green Deal, there are three ways to check:
- Do you have a signed credit agreement with the Green Deal provider?
- Do you have an annual statement of what has been paid and what is still owed?
- Are Green Deal payments part of your bill? If in doubt, you should contact the supplier to check.
If you believe that your Green Deal provider sold the scheme to you based on false information, for instance by saying it was free or exaggerating the energy saving benefits, then you may have been mis-sold Green Deal.
If you are having an issue with Green Deal payments or think that you were miss sold the Green Deal, the team at energyadvice.scot can help.
Call 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) or speak to the team online.
What is the Feed-In Tariffs Scheme?
The Feed-In Tariffs (FIT) scheme was designed to encourage people to install renewable and low carbon energy generations such as solar panels or wind turbines.
It launched on the 1st of April 2010, and it required participating electricity suppliers to make payments on both generation and export from eligible installations.
How does the scheme Work?
FIT payments are made quarterly (at least) for the electricity your installation has generated and exported. Payments are made based on the meter reading you submit to your energy supplier (Ofcom refers to them as your FIT licensee).
FIT payments are made by your energy supplier from the date you become eligible for the scheme.
The FIT scheme closed to new application on the 1st April 2019.
More information about FIT can be found on the OFGEM website.
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/feed-tariffs-fit
The GOV.UK website also has some useful guidance on feed in tariffs including some tools available for the public to use such as the solar energy calculator and the cashback calculator – see Feed-in tariffs: get money for generating your own electricity – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
EBSS (Energy Bills Support Scheme)
The Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS)
With the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) is a £400 payment from the government that will be paid each month in instalments up until March 2023. The first payments started on the 1st of October 2022.
The payments will be applied to your electricity account or sent as vouchers depending on how you pay for your energy. The payment amounts for each month are as follows:
October 2022 – £66
November 2022 – £66
December 2022 – £67
January 2023 – £67
February 2023 – £67
March 2023 – £67
Every household with a domestic electricity connection in the UK is eligible for the £400 discount. If you do not have a domestic energy connection, or do not have a direct relationship with your electricity supplier, you may be eligible for the alternative EBSS scheme.
How will I receive the discount?
How you receive the EBSS discount will depend on your supplier and how you pay for your electricity.
Traditional Prepayment
Customers with a traditional prepayment meter, will be sent the voucher via email, post or text.
This contact should include details of how to redeem the voucher, and if it is a Post Office or PayPoint voucher.
Vouchers expire after 90 days but the customer can ask their supplier to reissue them.
All vouchers must be redeemed by 30 June 2023.
For reference, this is what a postal voucher letter will look like:
Smart Prepayment
Smart prepayment customers should have the vouchers automatically sent to their meter. If they have not received a payment, they can contact their supplier to sort out the issue.
Direct Debit
You’ll get the discount either as a reduction to your monthly direct debit amount or as a
refund to your bank account after the monthly direct debit collection. You can contact your supplier to find out how they are applying the discount.
Bank Transfer
The discount will be applied to your energy account each month.
The discount will be supplied monthly, regardless of the frequency of customer payments – meaning those who pay quarterly or with payment cards will be paid the amounts with the same regularity (i.e., monthly).
You will never be asked for your bank details from Ofgem, or anyone else – Those with a domestic energy supply do not need to apply for the discount.
There are scammers reaching out to people asking for financial and personal information. It is important to ensure we DO NOT Supply this information and report any suspected scams or suspicious activity at www.scamwatch.scot.
You do not need to get in contact with your energy supplier, as all domestic energy customers will be automatically eligible.
If you have missed a payment from the scheme, or are having issues with a voucher, you should contact your supplier for assistance.
If you require energy advice, or are having difficulty reaching your supplier, energyadvice.scot can help.
Call us on 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday,9am-5pm).
EBSS (Energy Bills Support Scheme) Payments(EBRS and EPG Schemes) through landlords/intermediaries
The Green Deal was a UK government scheme where money could be borrowed to pay for energy-saving home improvements. The type of energy-saving measure varied from double glazing, to insulation, to draught-proofing, to renewable energy generation installations like heat pumps and solar panels. Applications to the scheme ended in 2015 but you may still be paying back the loan. If you are unsure if you were part of the Green Deal, there are three ways to check:
- Do you have a signed credit agreement with the Green Deal provider?
- Do you have an annual statement of what has been paid and what is still owed?
- Are Green Deal payments part of your bill? If in doubt, you should contact the supplier to check.
Intermediaries are any individual or organisation that hold an electricity or gas contract and are passing on the cost of the energy to the end user. Some examples of intermediaries are:
• landlords
• sublets
• student accommodation managers
• social housing providers
• local authorities (for council housing)
• site owners (for park homes)
• site managers
• marinas if using shore power (for boat homes)
• combined heat and power operators
• electric vehicle charging operators
• other residential building managers
The type of benefit that is passed on is dependent on the way the intermediary pays for their energy.
Domestic Contracts
If the intermediary has a domestic contract with a supplier, they will receive the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) and the Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS)
They should pass this benefit onto their end users and ensure that any automatic tariffs (such as from a coin meter) are set in line with the EPG rates. If the landlord has protected their tenants from some of the energy price rises, they may be able to retain some of the benefit.
Business Contracts
If the landlord has a business contract, they will not receive EBSS payment, but will receive the Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS.) They should pass this benefit onto their end users and ensure that any automatic tariffs (such as from a coin meter) are set in line with the EBRS rates. If the landlord has protected their tenants from some of the energy price rises, they may be able to retain some of the benefit.
Heat Networks
It is the responsibility of the heat supplier to notify each of its consumers in writing that the heat supplier has been provided with a benefit under the EBRS.
The notice must be given to consumers by the later of these two deadlines:
1st December 2022
Within 30 days of the EBRS benefit being provided to the heat supplier.
Further Reading and Examples
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pass-through-requirements-for-energy-price-support-provided-to-intermediaries/guidance-on-the-pass-through-requirements-for-energy-price-support-in-great-britain-provided-to-intermediaries
The Regulations require a heat supplier to provide either the full benefit it receives from the EBRS, or if less than the full benefit, a just and reasonable pass-through amount calculated in accordance with the Regulations.
The heat supplier must provide consumers with evidence showing what factors it has taken into account in determining that the pass-through amount was just and reasonable. The factors which a heat supplier can take into account are:
-The amount which the heat supplier paid for the energy which was subject to price reductions under the EBRS;
any other costs which the heat supplier incurred in supplying heating and hot water during the period it benefits from the EBRS. This includes costs from distributional heat losses, efficiency of generation, operational, maintenance, and capital costs, and set-up and operation costs of effecting the EBRS pass-through;
-Any losses which the heat supplier has incurred as a result of the cost of purchasing energy exceeding the amount charged to consumers for the supply of heating and hot water during the period for which the scheme benefit was provided (the EBRS will apply to existing fixed price contracts that were agreed on or after 1 December 2021). For example, heat suppliers with ‘price promises’ to their consumers may have incurred losses from absorbing higher wholesale energy costs whilst holding prices for consumers down. A heat supplier can factor these losses into determining a pass-through amount.
-In addition, the Regulations specify that a pass-through amount is just and reasonable if it is calculated on the same basis used by the heat supplier when calculating charges to the consumer when it was provided with the EBRS benefit. Specifically, if when it was provided with the scheme benefit, the heat supplier was calculating the price of heat charged to the consumer based on:
~the consumer’s heating and hot water consumption; or
~an amount which represents a proportion of the cost incurred by the heat supplier when purchasing the energy needed to supply heating and hot water the heat supplier’s calculation of the pass-through amount for each consumer must reflect this approach.
~Further reading and examples.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pass-through-requirements-for-energy-price-support-provided-to-intermediaries/guidance-on-the-pass-through-requirements-for-energy-price-support-in-great-britain-provided-to-intermediaries
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pass-through-requirements-for-energy-price-support-provided-to-intermediaries/guidance-on-the-energy-bill-relief-scheme-pass-through-requirements-for-heat-networks
The first thing you should do is to speak to your landlord to see what the situation is. They should be able to tell you how payments are being passed on to you.
The team at energyadvice.scot can provide more information on your next steps, or if you are still awaiting on EBSS payments from previous month(s).
Call 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) or speak to the team online.
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