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DMGM
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February 14, 2023
Solved

£200 Alternative Fuel Payment - Confirmation & Expected Payment Date

  • February 14, 2023
  • 41 replies
  • 2088 views

Putting aside that it’s now 14th Feb - that this payment was promised by the Government in October and that we’ve had to pay for 2 oil deliveries since then - I’ve seen all the posts, links and replies about HOW the Alternative Fuel Payment will be paid (via OVO) and when the payments will start (6th Feb) … I know that I SHOULD qualify as we have no mains gas to the village - but I don’t know for sure that OVO know that. ( …surely this is something that could have been confirmed sooner ? - but, putting that aside too - we are where we are ...)
The most recent update suggests that OVO now has a list of supply numbers (MPAN) for applicable households - so, how, and more particularly WHEN, will it be possible to confirm that our address is included on the list ?  - and - assuming that we are on the list (we certainly should be) how much longer will we need to wait to actually receive the payment ? 

Best answer by Jeffus

Updated on 21/06/23 by Abby_OVO

The scheme is closed at the moment. We’ll update this topic when we have information on the scheme for the upcoming year

Think you are eligible for the AFP but didn’t receive it? 

 

You can apply on the GOV website here. If you cannot apply online, call the helpline:

 

Government Payment for Alternative Fuels (like heating oil)

 

 

The Government has now confirmed details about how the ‘Alternative Fuel’ payments (AFP) will be made. This includes households without a direct relationship to an energy supplier. 

 

Information taken from the GOV website where you can find the latest updates on this topic

 

We have now received the supply numbers (MPANs) of eligible customers from The Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and will be issuing a communication to these customers as soon as possible to inform them that they will receive the Alternative Fuel Payments (AFP) support.

 

AFP support will be issued as per the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) payments, so by either a payment to the customer's bank account, if paid by direct debit or as credit added to their energy account if they pay on demand.

 

For PAYG customers credit will be added directly to the customer's smart prepayment meter; or a cash voucher issued if it’s a traditional meter. We intend on adding a note to OVO customer accounts to make it clear that they have been deemed as eligible by BEIS. So if you don’t receive a communication from us, Support should be able to advise if you have been deemed eligible or not. 

 

We’re planning to start making these payments from 13 February, if you’re looking for more information on the AFP or on wider ‘Help For Households’ support schemes, can find this here. 

 

Think you are eligible for the AFP but didn’t receive it? 

 

You can apply on the GOV website here. 

 

If you cannot apply online, call the helpline:

 

Telephone: 0808 175 3287
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

 

Energy bills support in England, Scotland and Wales will be via ‘EBSS Alternative Funding’ and ‘Alternative Fuel Payments’

 

  • People in England, Scotland and Wales without a direct relationship to a domestic energy supplier, will receive a £400 discount on their fuel bills through the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS Alternative Funding).
  • The government is also providing a further £200 Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) to help those households in England, Scotland and Wales who use alternative fuels such as biomass or heating oil to heat their homes this winter. Most households eligible for the AFP support in UK, will receive the payment automatically via their electricity supplier in February, with no need to take any action.
  • However, households who will need to apply for the AFP, for example because they do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier, will be able to do so in February, through the same GOV.UK portal as the one that will be used to apply for support under the EBSS Alternative Funding scheme.

 

“Online applications will open in January for households in England, Scotland and Wales who are eligible for the £400 EBSS Alternative Funding to submit their details, alongside a helpline for those without online access. Payments to households that meet the eligibility criteria – including people who get their energy through a commercial contract or who are off-grid – will be made by local authorities in Great Britain. This is likely to include:

 

  • care home residents
  • residents of park homes
  • tenants in certain private and social rented homes
  • homes supplied via private wires
  • residents of caravans and houseboats on registered sites
  • farmers living in domestic farmhouses
  • off-grid households”

Telephone: 0808 175 3287
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

 

Could a member of the OVO customer team please provide an update of how and when payments will be made and who does or does not qualify automatically. Seems a simple request.

Hi @DMGM  @menniej2

OVO have provided the answers to most of these on a simple web page. The other answers from an OVO staff member are in posts i have linked to (#4, #5) 

1. How it will be paid:

https://www.ovoenergy.com/alternative-fuel-payment

2. Who qualifies

https://www.ovoenergy.com/alternative-fuel-payment

This above link is a summary and consistent with the government public announcement to consumers

https://www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills/alternative-fuels

If you want to see the full details  of who is eligible and how the government selected customers you can look at this document given to suppliers. It has much more detail but wasn't written for consumers. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-alternative-fuel-payment-afp-scheme-in-great-britain-guidance-for-electricity-suppliers

3. What happens if you don't get it automatically (there will be a page on gov.uk, it isn't there yet, if you don't get the payment and you think you should. The government has not said when the form will be available) 

https://www.ovoenergy.com/alternative-fuel-payment

4. When will the payments be made. An OVO staff member has provided this information

5. Can i check if i am on the list of eligible households the government has given to OVO if I haven't received an email? This was provided by an OVO staff member on this forum , so try calling the Support Team. 

"We intend on adding a memo to customer accounts to make it clear that they have been deemed as eligible by BEIS, so this will become clear to customer service agents" 

 

Does that answer your questions?

Is there anything else you would like to ask? 

41 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
February 14, 2023

As far as I’m aware, you’ll get a £200 electric credit by the end of the month which - if you pay by DD - will then be refunded to your bank account.

There’s no need for you to do anything unless you don’t get the payment by the end of February, in which case the government will have a website up to manually request AFP.

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    M
    Newcomer
    menniej2
    Newcomer
    February 14, 2023

    Could a member of the OVO customer team please provide an update of how and when payments will be made and who does or does not qualify automatically. Seems a simple request.

      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      JeffusSolved
      Rank 20
      February 14, 2023

      Updated on 21/06/23 by Abby_OVO

      The scheme is closed at the moment. We’ll update this topic when we have information on the scheme for the upcoming year

      Think you are eligible for the AFP but didn’t receive it? 

       

      You can apply on the GOV website here. If you cannot apply online, call the helpline:

       

      Government Payment for Alternative Fuels (like heating oil)

       

       

      The Government has now confirmed details about how the ‘Alternative Fuel’ payments (AFP) will be made. This includes households without a direct relationship to an energy supplier. 

       

      Information taken from the GOV website where you can find the latest updates on this topic

       

      We have now received the supply numbers (MPANs) of eligible customers from The Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and will be issuing a communication to these customers as soon as possible to inform them that they will receive the Alternative Fuel Payments (AFP) support.

       

      AFP support will be issued as per the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) payments, so by either a payment to the customer's bank account, if paid by direct debit or as credit added to their energy account if they pay on demand.

       

      For PAYG customers credit will be added directly to the customer's smart prepayment meter; or a cash voucher issued if it’s a traditional meter. We intend on adding a note to OVO customer accounts to make it clear that they have been deemed as eligible by BEIS. So if you don’t receive a communication from us, Support should be able to advise if you have been deemed eligible or not. 

       

      We’re planning to start making these payments from 13 February, if you’re looking for more information on the AFP or on wider ‘Help For Households’ support schemes, can find this here. 

       

      Think you are eligible for the AFP but didn’t receive it? 

       

      You can apply on the GOV website here. 

       

      If you cannot apply online, call the helpline:

       

      Telephone: 0808 175 3287
      Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
      Find out about call charges

       

      Energy bills support in England, Scotland and Wales will be via ‘EBSS Alternative Funding’ and ‘Alternative Fuel Payments’

       

      • People in England, Scotland and Wales without a direct relationship to a domestic energy supplier, will receive a £400 discount on their fuel bills through the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS Alternative Funding).
      • The government is also providing a further £200 Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP) to help those households in England, Scotland and Wales who use alternative fuels such as biomass or heating oil to heat their homes this winter. Most households eligible for the AFP support in UK, will receive the payment automatically via their electricity supplier in February, with no need to take any action.
      • However, households who will need to apply for the AFP, for example because they do not have a relationship with an electricity supplier, will be able to do so in February, through the same GOV.UK portal as the one that will be used to apply for support under the EBSS Alternative Funding scheme.

       

      “Online applications will open in January for households in England, Scotland and Wales who are eligible for the £400 EBSS Alternative Funding to submit their details, alongside a helpline for those without online access. Payments to households that meet the eligibility criteria – including people who get their energy through a commercial contract or who are off-grid – will be made by local authorities in Great Britain. This is likely to include:

       

      • care home residents
      • residents of park homes
      • tenants in certain private and social rented homes
      • homes supplied via private wires
      • residents of caravans and houseboats on registered sites
      • farmers living in domestic farmhouses
      • off-grid households”

      Telephone: 0808 175 3287
      Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
      Find out about call charges

       

      Could a member of the OVO customer team please provide an update of how and when payments will be made and who does or does not qualify automatically. Seems a simple request.

      Hi @DMGM  @menniej2

      OVO have provided the answers to most of these on a simple web page. The other answers from an OVO staff member are in posts i have linked to (#4, #5) 

      1. How it will be paid:

      https://www.ovoenergy.com/alternative-fuel-payment

      2. Who qualifies

      https://www.ovoenergy.com/alternative-fuel-payment

      This above link is a summary and consistent with the government public announcement to consumers

      https://www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills/alternative-fuels

      If you want to see the full details  of who is eligible and how the government selected customers you can look at this document given to suppliers. It has much more detail but wasn't written for consumers. 

      https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-alternative-fuel-payment-afp-scheme-in-great-britain-guidance-for-electricity-suppliers

      3. What happens if you don't get it automatically (there will be a page on gov.uk, it isn't there yet, if you don't get the payment and you think you should. The government has not said when the form will be available) 

      https://www.ovoenergy.com/alternative-fuel-payment

      4. When will the payments be made. An OVO staff member has provided this information

      5. Can i check if i am on the list of eligible households the government has given to OVO if I haven't received an email? This was provided by an OVO staff member on this forum , so try calling the Support Team. 

      "We intend on adding a memo to customer accounts to make it clear that they have been deemed as eligible by BEIS, so this will become clear to customer service agents" 

       

      Does that answer your questions?

      Is there anything else you would like to ask? 

      D
      Rank 4
      DMGMAuthor
      Rank 4
      February 14, 2023

      OVO have been helpful in providing links when information has become available - and I understand what SHOULD happen - what I’ve asked for is how to obtain confirmation that in respect of my individual account - it WILL happen, and WHEN it will happen … in short - how can I confirm that our MPAN number is among those that automatically qualify ?
      Perhaps another couple of weeks patience will provide the answers - but that doesn’t really help with budgeting and forward planning given that we were originally promised this by the Government last October. I appreciate that this hasn’t been a simple process - but once it was decided that non-mains gas account holders would qualify I would have thought it could have been simple enough to confirm that with those households. 
      I guess what we’re being told in reality is that if the payment hasn’t arrived by March there will be a way of chasing it up … which somehow misses the point of providing help over winter - hey ho - gift horses and all that … 

      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      Emmanuelle_OVO
      Retired Moderator
      February 14, 2023

      Hey @DMGM,

       

      Welcome to the OVO Online Community,

       

      If you haven’t yet been contacted advising you’re eligible, I’d recommend contacting Support as there should be a note on the accounts of customers deemed eligible, most customers on the Forum it appears have already received a communication from us.

       

      If you haven’t been flagged by Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as being eligible, they’re going to add a form to their website where you can challenge this decision. This hasn’t gone live yet but we’ll update our Forum topics about Alternative Fuel Payment when it does. 

       

      Hope this helps. 

      Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        February 14, 2023

        OVO have been helpful in providing links when information has become available - and I understand what SHOULD happen - what I’ve asked for is how to obtain confirmation that in respect of my individual account - it WILL happen, and WHEN it will happen … in short - how can I confirm that our MPAN number is among those that automatically qualify ?
        Perhaps another couple of weeks patience will provide the answers - but that doesn’t really help with budgeting and forward planning given that we were originally promised this by the Government last October. I appreciate that this hasn’t been a simple process - but once it was decided that non-mains gas account holders would qualify I would have thought it could have been simple enough to confirm that with those households. 
        I guess what we’re being told in reality is that if the payment hasn’t arrived by March there will be a way of chasing it up … which somehow misses the point of providing help over winter - hey ho - gift horses and all that … 

        @DMGM let us know what the Support Team say as per @Emmanuelle_OVO suggestion. 

         

        "If you haven’t yet been contacted advising you’re eligible, I’d recommend contacting Support as there should be a note on the accounts of customers deemed eligible" 

        Firedog
        Super User
        FiredogSuper User
        Super User
        February 14, 2023

        2. Who qualifies

        https://www.ovoenergy.com/alternative-fuel-payment

         

         

        That page sadly doesn’t give the full picture. BEIS use existing databases of MPANs and postcodes not served with gas to find households which may use alternative fuels. They then match the results with 2021 census data to see how those households said they were heated¹. This last exercise may well rule out many who felt compelled to change their energy consumption profile in the past two years (heat pumps? solar power? solid fuel? keeping livestock indoors?). It’s also not really fair on those who have to pay more than twice the price per kWh to use electric rather than gas heating, even allowing for the Energy Price Guarantee.

        I think it’s clear that this scheme was only invented to redress the balance between those who benefit from this winter’s substantial government subsidy on gas prices and those who can’t. It may be fair enough to exclude the HP and solar power users, who probably enjoyed even larger subsidies, but there will be many who feel badly done by unless the appeal process is conducted charitably. We’ll have to wait until next month at the earliest to find out how it goes.

         

         

        1. See para 3.5 here: Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme: guidance for electricity suppliers in Great Britain

         

        Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        February 14, 2023

        2. Who qualifies

        https://www.ovoenergy.com/alternative-fuel-payment

         

         

        That page sadly doesn’t give the full picture. BEIS use existing databases of MPANs and postcodes not served with gas to find households which may use alternative fuels. They then match the results with 2021 census data to see how those households said they were heated¹. This last exercise may well rule out many who felt compelled to change their energy consumption profile in the past two years (heat pumps? solar power? solid fuel? keeping livestock indoors?). It’s also not really fair on those who have to pay more than twice the price per kWh to use electric rather than gas heating, even allowing for the Energy Price Guarantee.

        I think it’s clear that this scheme was only invented to redress the balance between those who benefit from this winter’s substantial government subsidy on gas prices and those who can’t. It may be fair enough to exclude the HP and solar power users, who probably enjoyed even larger subsidies, but there will be many who feel badly done by unless the appeal process is conducted charitably. We’ll have to wait until next month at the earliest to find out how it goes.

         

         

        1. See para 3.5 here: Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme: guidance for electricity suppliers in Great Britain

         

        @Firedog 

        I have updated the answer with two links.

        Let me know if there are any other changes needed. 

        OK? 

          D
          Rank 4
          DMGMAuthor
          Rank 4
          February 14, 2023

          Thanks everyone who has contributed - through a selection of links I came to this list which at least confirms that our postcode is one of those that SHOULD automatically qualify … so now I’m just waiting for notification (or more ideally payment) from OVO

          Xoserve Off gas live postcodes - (download)

          https://www.xoserve.com/media/fadn4tnc/off-gas-live-postcodes- 2022.xlsx?term=Off-gas

          The Xoserve link above was found in the footer of this document:
          https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1130933/domestic-alternative-fuel-payment-scheme-suppliers-guidance.pdf

            Firedog
            Super User
            FiredogSuper User
            Super User
            February 14, 2023

            They then match the results with 2021 census data to see how those households said they were heated.

            I’ve now checked what these data might say. This was the pertinent question:
              

             

            The answers to this question will be open to various interpretations, but it looks as if those using renewable energy (e.g. solar PV) might be ineligible for the AFP. I wish I could remember which answer I gave …

             

            Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
              Show more replies
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