Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding

Are you eligible for new energy bills support?

West Suffolk Council is working with the Government to process payments for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding scheme which launched nationally on 27 February 2023.

Who is the scheme for and why?

The majority of households are already receiving the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) to help with the cost of their energy bills. They will be receiving this in the form of six instalments, paid through their electricity supplier from October 2022 through to March 2023. These six payments will total £400.

Councils are now working with the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to contact and make payments of £400 to those households including vulnerable residents who have missed out on this funding because they:

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

This may include:

•    care homes 
•    park homes
•    caravan parks
•    moorings
•    some tenants of private and social rented homes
•    homes on a private electricity supply
•    residents of caravans and houseboats on registered sites
•    farmers living in domestic farmhouses
•    other off-grid households.

How people apply

People should visit the Government website GOV.UK - Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically for more details. BEIS will then carry out some initial eligibility checks before passing applications back to us and Anglia Revenues Partnership to complete the verification and process. Payments will then be made within 30 days. Applications will close on 31 May 2023.

Other ways to apply

If you cannot apply online, or you need help and support regarding your application, call the Government helpline: Telephone: 0808 175 3287 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.