Emergency winter fuel support for off grid fuel costs

This payment is for off-grid winter fuel support and is part of the Discretionary Assistance Fund.

The support will be available until the end of March 2024 and includes the provision of Emergency Assistance Payments (EAPs) to help off-gas households suffering financial hardship top-up oil and LPG in the coldest months.

This is alongside pre-existing emergency support to help households in need top-up gas and electricity prepayment meters. It helps address an inequity in provision in rural areas, until fuel poor households have been sufficiently supported to transition to alternative, low carbon sources of heating as a priority.

Winter off-grid fuel support includes:

• Oil - payment for up to £250 as a contribution towards the purchase of a tank of oil. Maximum of one award for oil in a rolling 12 months
  
  OR
   
• LP Gas - payment for up to £70 as a contribution towards of the purchase of LP gas. This can be awarded up to three times in a rolling twelve months (subject to your EAP award history and maximum support limit).

The award will be made as a BACS (bank transfer) only. 

Application process

A professional will need to apply on your behalf. You should approach your existing support worker (such as a social worker, housing officer or similar). They will do the application for you and support you through the process.

If you don't have support worker, Citizens Advice can explore what grant support for energy costs you may be eligible for, and make an application on your behalf, if appropriate. 

Please note: you cannot make an independent application for the DAF winter off-grid fuel support. 

The professional can apply by telephone (0800 859 5924) or email the DAF team and request a call back - daf.feedback@necsws.com.

Professionals will need consent from the client to make the application on their behalf, but do not need the client to be with them when they ring. The client's bank account number and sort code will need to be provided at point of application. Clients should keep all receipts as spot checks will be undertaken.

Please note: you will not be able to access winter fuel support through the online application process.

For more information, please contact the Discretionary Assistance Fund (opens new window).