The government launched the Alternative Fuel Payment – Alternative Funding scheme on 6 March 2023.
What is it?
Under the Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP), households that use alternative fuels to the gas grid as their main source of heating, can receive a one of payment of £200. This includes households that use tank or bottled gas, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), heating oil, wood or other solid fuel.
The money is intended to ensure that households using alternative fuels are not left with a higher percentage increase to their heating costs compared to those using mains gas who are supported by the Energy Price Guarantee.
Most households on alternative fuels will have already received this payment through their electricity supplier in February. There are a small number of households that don’t have a direct contract with an electricity supplier as so they will need to make a claim under the AFP Alternative Funding which has been launched by government.
Who is it for?
The government has advised that provided they can provide sufficient proof of address, receipt of fuel costs, and are not otherwise ineligible, households eligible for AFP Alternative Fund may include:
- park home residents.
- housing association, social and private tenants, and leaseholders, supplied via a landlord with a commercial meter.
- households in house boats on residential moorings
- households on a private electricity network, for example those supplied by a heat network.
- off-grid households.
- traveller households on authorised sites.
- households in temporary/supported accommodation
Can residents qualify for this and the Energy Bills Support Scheme?
Yes, although if they aren’t receiving the money for the schemes automatically, then they will need to submit separate claims. Find out more about the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
How to apply
If you are eligible for AFP, you will need to fill out a short online form via the GOV.UK website. Applications are made directly to His Majesty’s Government, not to or via local authorities.
If you do not have online access, you can apply via a contact centre on 0808 175 3287 where a representative will guide you through the application process.
Once you have applied, your application will be processed and verified. After this if your application is successful, your details will be shared with local authorities, who will deliver the one-off, non-repayable support. The payment will be made directly into your bank account in a single instalment.
Further information can be found on GOV.UK.
Applications will close on 31 May 2023.
Your data
HM Government and East Hampshire District Council will need to share data about your application. This is to ensure that we make accurate payments and to allow HM Government to monitor the Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) If you would like more information about how your data will be shared and used as part of your application, you will find this in the privacy notice which covers the scheme.