Finally got through to OVO support this morning - and (not entirely unexpectedly) have now been told my account is NOT flagged to receive the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment automatically …
I know that there WILL eventually be a process to apply manually - although heaven knows how much longer that means we’ll be waiting to receive funds originally promised last October … but I’m at a loss to know why our account hasn’t been automatically flagged as eligible and wonder how many others are in the same boat.
We have lived at the same address for almost 30 years
Our supply was moved to OVO from SSE last summer - we had been with SSE for many years - therefore we clearly have a relationship with an energy provider.
There is no main gas to the village - this is confirmed by the inclusion of our postcode on the list of off-gas-postcodes compiled by X0serve
(Link to Xoserver provided in this government document:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1130933/domestic-alternative-fuel-payment-scheme-suppliers-guidance.pdf
Download directly from here:
https://www.xoserve.com/media/fadn4tnc/off-gas-live-postcodes- 2022.xlsx?term=Off-gas )
Our central heating runs on oil and like many others I have long-standing accounts with several large, local and national heating oil suppliers. Since this is the only form of central heating we have ever had in three decades at the property this WILL have been confirmed in the most recent census information.
Clearly I don’t fall into the houseboat or park-home dwelling, totally disconnected from the network category so I’m both puzzled and frustrated by now having to wait even longer for the support announced 5 months ago to help over winter - and jump through whatever hoops lay ahead in order to apply for this payment. I’m also worried that since I clearly DO NOT fall into any of the categories that would require me to apply manually, the system / form or whatever is eventually launched won’t be designed to fit those in the same position as us - since clearly we SHOULD have been picked up automatically … I guess that question will be answered when the application process opens at the end of the month
https://www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills/alternative-fuels
I do appreciate that if OVO haven’t been informed that we’re eligible there’s only so much they can do - but my question is WHY have we not been flagged as eligible and how many others are in the same position ?
Best answer by HMW
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