The UK government introduced the Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) to help households not connected to the mains gas grid with their energy costs. This one-off payment of £200 aimed to assist with heating expenses during the winter of 2022-2023.
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The AFP was a government initiative designed to provide financial assistance to households that rely on alternative fuels for heating. It formed part of a broader package of support to help manage energy bills during a challenging period.
Supporting off-grid households
This £200 payment was specifically targeted at approximately two million households across the UK that are not connected to the mains gas network. These homes often face different energy cost challenges compared to those using mains gas, making targeted support important.
Eligible fuel types
The AFP covered various alternative fuels used for domestic heating. These included heating oil (kerosene), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biomass (such as wood pellets or logs), and solid fuels.
Eligibility for the AFP was determined by a few key criteria, primarily focusing on a household's heating method and connection to the national gas grid.
Domestic versus non-domestic properties
It is important to distinguish between the domestic AFP and the non-domestic scheme. The domestic AFP was a £200 payment for households, whereas a separate non-domestic AFP of £150 was available for businesses and other non-domestic properties. This guide focuses solely on the domestic payment for residential properties.
Key eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the domestic AFP, two main conditions had to be met:
- Your household was not connected to the mains gas grid.
- You used an alternative fuel as your main method of heating your home.
Even if a household received the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme discount, they could still be eligible for the £200 AFP. For more information on other forms of assistance, you can explore general energy bill support available.
The method of receiving the AFP varied depending on a household's relationship with an electricity supplier.
Automatic payments via electricity suppliers
Most eligible households received the £200 payment automatically. This was typically applied as a credit to their electricity bills starting from February 2023. Electricity suppliers were provided with a list of eligible customers by the government. For those paying by Direct Debit, the payment might have been issued as a refund to their bank account, while those on smart prepayment meters would have had the credit added directly to their meter. Understanding your smart meter installation can help you keep track of such credits.
Applying if you did not receive it automatically
A smaller number of households needed to apply for the payment. This applied to those who did not have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier (for example, if they lived in a park home or houseboat) or those who were in an area connected to the gas grid but still used alternative fuels as their primary heating source. An application portal was made available on GOV.UK for these cases.
The application window for the AFP scheme has now closed. However, if you believed you were eligible and did not receive the payment, there were steps you could have taken.
Checking your eligibility status
If you thought you were eligible but did not receive the payment automatically, the first step would have been to contact your electricity supplier. They could confirm if you were on the government's list of eligible households.
Using the GOV.UK application portal
For those who needed to apply, the GOV.UK application portal was the designated channel. To apply, proof of alternative fuel purchases, such as an invoice for £200 or more spent on heating oil or other eligible fuels between June 2022 and May 2023, was required. The portal is no longer open for new applications.
Troubleshooting common issues
If you were eligible and did not receive the payment, even after checking with your supplier, you could have sought guidance from your local council or Citizens Advice1. They could offer advice on your specific situation, although the scheme is now closed.
The AFP scheme was part of the government's support for winter 2022-2023.
Payment timelines
Most automatic payments were made from February 2023 onwards. The application portal for those who needed to apply was open for a limited period, with deadlines typically in May 2023. The scheme closed for delivery on 30 June 2023, and related government guidance for suppliers was withdrawn in April 2024.
Where to find additional help
While the AFP scheme is now closed, if you have concerns about past eligibility or believe there was an error with a payment you should have received, you can still contact your electricity supplier or Citizens Advice for guidance. For general energy bill support, the UK government's "Help for Households" campaign website provides information on various schemes.
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References
- Citizens Advice. Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills
