Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) - Alternative Funding
Residents in Kingston who weren’t eligible to receive the automatic Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) payment through their energy supplier, may be able to access some further financial support after a new initiative went live on Monday 27 February 2023.
Funded by HM Government, the EBSS Alternative Funding is a one-off, £400, non-repayable discount for eligible households that are still facing increased energy costs, but haven’t received the main EBSS payment automatically to help with their bills between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023. The EBSS payment was paid to residents through a discount applied monthly to energy bills.
Some examples of eligible residents include those residents living in a park home, a care home, a houseboat or other properties that may be off the electricity grid.
Payments will be issued following an application process. To apply for the EBSS Alternative Funding, please visit gov.uk website and enter “Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically” in the search bar and follow the instructions.
All applications must be made and received via this central application route by the time this scheme closes on 31 May 2023.
Applications from other routes will neither be processed nor accepted and Kingston residents are advised to be alert and vigilant for any prospective bogus scams associated with the EBSS or its Alternative Funding equivalent.
For example, households will never be asked to apply for EBSS Alternative Funding via email or text and the government will never provide a link to reach the application portal.
If you believe you have received a scam message in relation to the EBSS Alternative Funding, it’s very important that this is reported promptly.
Please send a screen shot of the message to: report@phishing.gov.uk so that action can be taken.
Further information can be found on the Gov.uk website by clicking on the following links:
Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically (external link)
Help with your energy bills (external link)
If you need help with your application and/or you cannot apply online, you can contact the helpline team via the following methods.
Telephone: 0808 175 3287 (Freephone number – Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm).
Email: alternativefunding@ebss.beis.gov.uk
Eligibility explained
If you live in a park, mobile or care home, or off the electricity grid
The way you get energy support will be different if you do not have a domestic electricity meter and contract with an electricity supplier.
For example, this could be because you live:
- in a park home
- in a care home
- on a houseboat
- in a mobile home
- on a farm
- off the electricity grid
You will still get support equivalent to £400 for your energy bills from the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
You may need to apply if your home:
- has a communal electricity supply
- has a non-domestic electricity connection
- does not have a contract with an electricity supplier
You’ll be able to apply if you’ve not already had a discount payment from the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
If you live in a care home or supported accommodation
You may be eligible for a payment if you both:
- live in a care home or sheltered and supported accommodation
- pay for some or part of your care fees
If you pay for your energy through an intermediary
You may not get the full amount of support if you pay through an intermediary - for example the manager of a park or mobile home.
However, the manager or landlord must pass on the benefit in a fair and reasonable way. This is called the ‘pass-through requirement’ for energy price support.
Find out what they should do and what to do if you disagree (external link).
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be notified if you’re eligible for EBSS?
Households will never be asked to apply for EBSS Alternative Funding by email or text. The government will never provide a link to reach the online application portal.
How do I apply?
You can apply by visiting Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically (external link).
What is the deadline for the applications?
To ensure your application is processed, please apply before 31 May 2023.