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Rank 4
DMGM
Rank 4
February 15, 2023
Solved

Alternative Fuel Payment - Not Eligible?

  • February 15, 2023
  • 41 replies
  • 1651 views

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

    Updated on 22/06/23 by Emmanuelle_OVO

    Think you are eligible for the Alternative Fuel Payment but didn’t receive it? 

     

    The scheme is closed now. We’ll update when further information arises for this winter.

     

    You can still check out the GOV website here. If you cannot check online, call the helpline:

     

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

     

    We are in central Northumberland and no gas main within 20 miles in any direction. OVO confirm we are not entitled to the AFP.  It’s turning into a farce and as we all suspect we’ll be bounced from one to the other and get nowhere quickly.

    Are you sure OVO said you were not entitled to the AFP as they don’t make this decision?  It may be that, like me, your postcode was simply not on the government list and therefore we have to apply manually when the application process opens (early March - still waiting!)  See below from government website:

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

    If you use alternative fuels for heating

    You may be eligible for a £200 Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP) if both the following are true:

    • your household is not connected to the mains gas grid
    • you use alternative fuels as your main form of heating

    This is on top of the £400 from your electricity supplier.

    You’re eligible for this payment if the main way you heat your home uses:

    • tank or bottled gas
    • liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
    • oil
    • wood
    • solid fuel

    Most homes that are eligible for this payment will get it automatically as a credit on their electricity bills from February 2023.

    You may not get the payment automatically if your home is either:

    • in an area which is mainly connected to the gas grid
    • not connected to either the gas or the electricity grid

    If you do not get this payment automatically

    You may have to apply for this payment through the AFP Alternative Fund if you do not get it automatically - for example, because you do not have a contract with an electricity supplier.

    Applications will open in early March.

    41 replies

    Show previous replies
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    February 27, 2023

    Martin Lewis is collecting cases to talk to the government about if you want to add yours to the list

     

      C
      Rank 2
      cliveyb
      February 28, 2023

      Also flummoxed by whatever decision criteria has meant we haven’t automatically received the AFP payment. No gas locally, postcode on the XOserve list  and just been told I will have to apply manually - when OVO customer services get the forms.

      😏

      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      February 28, 2023

      Also flummoxed by whatever decision criteria has meant we haven’t automatically received the AFP payment. No gas locally, postcode on the XOserve list  and just been told I will have to apply manually - when OVO customer services get the forms.

      😏

      The government process certainly hasn't been perfect... 

      The latest date for the manual process is  early March

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

      MPs where told the same form for manual EBSS payments would be used. If this is correct it will be via this form, but anything can change obviously. I suspect it will be a different form. 

      https://www.gov.uk/apply-energy-bill-support-if-not-automatic

      To set some expectation the manual process for the EBSS takes up to 6 weeks to get a reply, then 10 days for a payment. 

      H
      Newcomer
      HMWSolved
      Newcomer
      March 2, 2023

      Updated on 22/06/23 by Emmanuelle_OVO

      Think you are eligible for the Alternative Fuel Payment but didn’t receive it? 

       

      The scheme is closed now. We’ll update when further information arises for this winter.

       

      You can still check out the GOV website here. If you cannot check online, call the helpline:

       

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

       

      We are in central Northumberland and no gas main within 20 miles in any direction. OVO confirm we are not entitled to the AFP.  It’s turning into a farce and as we all suspect we’ll be bounced from one to the other and get nowhere quickly.

      Are you sure OVO said you were not entitled to the AFP as they don’t make this decision?  It may be that, like me, your postcode was simply not on the government list and therefore we have to apply manually when the application process opens (early March - still waiting!)  See below from government website:

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

      If you use alternative fuels for heating

      You may be eligible for a £200 Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP) if both the following are true:

      • your household is not connected to the mains gas grid
      • you use alternative fuels as your main form of heating

      This is on top of the £400 from your electricity supplier.

      You’re eligible for this payment if the main way you heat your home uses:

      • tank or bottled gas
      • liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
      • oil
      • wood
      • solid fuel

      Most homes that are eligible for this payment will get it automatically as a credit on their electricity bills from February 2023.

      You may not get the payment automatically if your home is either:

      • in an area which is mainly connected to the gas grid
      • not connected to either the gas or the electricity grid

      If you do not get this payment automatically

      You may have to apply for this payment through the AFP Alternative Fund if you do not get it automatically - for example, because you do not have a contract with an electricity supplier.

      Applications will open in early March.

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        March 2, 2023

        Looks like the form is now open: https://online.apply-for-energy-bill-alternative-funds.service.gov.uk if you’re after EBSS Manual Applications.

        For the other one (AFP manual applications) it’s listed at https://www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills/alternative-fuels but we’ve not seen it open yet.

        Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
          Firedog
          Super User
          FiredogSuper User
          Super User
          March 2, 2023

          … WHY have we not been flagged as eligible and how many others are in the same position ? 

          You’ll see that there are several criteria for assessing eligibility. One that isn’t mentioned in so many words - and I’ve no idea whether it is - is the property’s Energy Performance Certificate. Please have a look at yours: Find an energy certificate - GOV.UK

          My house is off the gas grid and F-rated, but the main heating source is shown as Electric storage. I guess that this leads to the assumption that my heating already benefits from the Energy Price Guarantee by virtue of using cut-price (!) electricity. 

          I’ll point out that I stopped using electric heating a long time ago because of the cost and I now use (increasingly expensive) firewood exclusively. We’ll see what comes out of an appeal once applications open later this month.

           

          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. |
            D
            Rank 4
            DMGMAuthor
            Rank 4
            March 6, 2023

            … WHY have we not been flagged as eligible and how many others are in the same position ? 

            You’ll see that there are several criteria for assessing eligibility. One that isn’t mentioned in so many words - and I’ve no idea whether it is - is the property’s Energy Performance Certificate. Please have a look at yours: Find an energy certificate - GOV.UK

             

            Martin Lewis is collecting cases to talk to the government about if you want to add yours to the list

            We are in central Northumberland and no gas main within 20 miles in any direction. OVO confirm we are not entitled to the AFP.  It’s turning into a farce and as we all suspect we’ll be bounced from one to the other and get nowhere quickly.

             

             

            We’ve been in the same property for 30 years - there is no EPC - several neighbours have been here for many years as well - Eon have paid, EDF and OVO haven't … same postcode, same heating, same length of time residing in the property … online form still not available to apply manually - I’m checking regularly ! … don’t have Twitter - is there another way to contact Martin Lewis ?

            G
            Newcomer
            Gdbliss
            Newcomer
            March 6, 2023

            OVO have confirmed that we are eligible for the £200 AFP, as we are an ‘off grid’ household, using domestic heating oil. We have a direct debit with OVO and all information suggested it would be paid by the 28th February 2023, it’s now the 6th March and no payment has been received from OVO … why the delay, some answers would be appreciated!

             

             

            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            Jeffus
            Rank 20
            March 6, 2023

            OVO have confirmed that we are eligible for the £200 AFP, as we are an ‘off grid’ household, using domestic heating oil. We have a direct debit with OVO and all information suggested it would be paid by the 28th February 2023, it’s now the 6th March and no payment has been received from OVO … why the delay, some answers would be appreciated!

             

             

            Hi @Gdbliss did you get an email from OVO saying they were going to pay the £200 directly? 

            G
            Newcomer
            Gdbliss
            Newcomer
            March 6, 2023

            @Jeffus … no, so I contacted OVO customer services, who confirmed we were eligible

              Show more replies
              Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

              OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

              OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

              OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd