Information about the Winter 2021/22 Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme

Introduction

This initiative is delivered in collaboration with the Department for Communities, the Consumer Council, Bryson Charitable Group, and a range of local energy companies.

It will provide one-off support of up to £100 worth of electricity, gas, or oil to 20,000 households across Northern Ireland that are experiencing an emergency fuel crisis during Winter 2021/22.

Applications can be made up until 31st March 2022.

Who is eligible for support?

To be eligible for support, a criteria from PART ONE and PART TWO must apply:

PART ONE

1a. Have a total gross annual household income of less than £23,000. Do not include Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Carer’s Allowance or Attendance Allowance in this calculation.

OR

1b. Have been made unemployed in the last 8 weeks and are awaiting confirmation of benefit / first benefit payment

OR

1c.  Have had your benefits payments recently interrupted

AND

PART TWO

2a. Have run out of your chosen energy type (electricity, gas, or oil)

OR

2b. Have 3-5 days or less worth or less of your chosen energy type (electricity, gas, or oil)

When filling out an application, you will be required to provide evidence that you meet the eligibility criteria.

What support can I apply for?

Households can apply once for one of the following:

• £100 Electricity meter top-up for pay-as-you-go customers, or a credit to your account for billing/Direct Debit customers

• £98 Gas meter top-up for pay-as-you-go customers, or a credit to your account for billing/Direct Debit customers*

• £100 Oil credit with an oil supplier

Please note that support will be arranged directly with suppliers. Applicants will not receive cash or any type of direct payment.

*Equivalent to two maximum top-ups for pay-as-you-go gas customers

How do I apply for support?

Applications must be made using this online form which will be available on the Bryson Charitable Group website from 9am on working days (i.e. Monday to Friday). Please be advised that there is a limit to the number of daily applications to the scheme. This is to make the fund available throughout the winter until 31^st March 2022.

If you find it difficult to complete online forms, you can access a hard copy of the application form by:

1. Downloading and printing a hard copy of the form here <link will be available on 6^th January>
2. Or you can request a hard copy of the form which we will post to your home address. Call <voicemail contact number will be available 6^th January> and leave a voicemail with your name, address, and contact telephone number.
3. Return your completed hard copy application form to <PO Box number/address will be available 6^th January>

What information do I need to provide?

You will need to provide proof from PART ONE and PART TWO below to demonstrate that you are eligible for support.

PART ONE
1a. Copies of bank statements / payslips / P60s / benefits or pension statements to confirm the total gross annual household income of less than £23,000

OR

1b. A letter from a former employer to confirm that you have been made unemployed in the last 8 weeks, and a screenshot / letter confirming your current benefit status

OR

1c.  A screenshot / letter to confirm that your benefits payments were recently interrupted

AND

PART TWO

2a. A photograph to demonstrate that you have run out of your chosen energy type (for pay-and-go-customers or oil customers only):

• electricity/gas meter (for pay-as-you-go customers only – must include the meter serial number and the credits/£ available)
• oil gauge showing the litres / level of oil available

OR

2b. A photograph to demonstrate that you have 3-5 days or less worth of your chosen energy type (for pay-and-go-customers or oil customers only):

• electricity/gas meter (for pay-as-you-go customers only – must include the meter serial number and the credits/£ available)
• oil gauge showing the litres / level of oil available

OR

2c. A copy of your most recent electricity or gas bill (for account / direct debit customers only)

When will I receive support?

Once you have submitted your application, we will send you an email to confirm that it has been received.

We will review your application and check the proof that you have provided to confirm you are eligible. You will then receive a text message to advise you of the outcome within 24 working hours (e.g. 9am-5pm Monday to Friday).

If you are eligible for support, you will receive a further text message to advise as follows:

• Electricity – your unique top-up code (for pay-as-you-go customers), or that your account has been credited with £100 (for account billing / direct debit customers)
• Gas – your unique top-up code and instructions on how to access the support
• Oil – your unique reference number and instructions on how to redeem. Oil credits will expire in 5 days if unredeemed.