Government extends window for Alternative Fuel Payments eligibility

The government has announced it is extending the window for alternative fuel payment support to include customers who bulk bought their winter fuel early.

The domestic alternative fuel payment portal was launched on 6 March for households that didn’t automatically receive the Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP). This includes homes that are not on the mains electricity or gas grid and use heating oil as their main source of fuel. Homes that are eligible will receive a one-off, direct payment from their local council.

Extending the eligibility window

Previously, heating oil customers could only claim the £200 AFP for purchases made from September 2022. However, the government has recognised many households have missed out on the financial support as they purchased their winter heating oil in summer to take advantage of seasonally lower prices.

To ensure as many people as possible receive support, the window for eligible receipts has been pushed back by three months. Households can now claim for fuel purchases from 1 June 2022 by showing a delivery note or receipt.

If you’re unsure how to claim and if you’re eligible, take a look at our previous Alternative Fuel Payments announcement for more information or visit the GOV.UK website here.   

Government launches online portal for Alternative Fuel Payments

It’s not too late to register for AFP if you haven’t already. The portal, which can be found on the GOV.UK website here, is open until the end of May.

If you’re not sure what to do or can’t access the online portal, you can also contact the helpline. Call 0808 175 3943 if you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, or 0808 175 3894 if you're in Northern Ireland, to have someone guide you through the steps. The helpline is open 8am to 6pm on Monday to Friday.

Before you call, make sure you have proof of address, bank account details and receipts for any heating oil purchases over £200 dated between 1 June 2022 and 31 May 2023.

Support with heating your home

We understand many people are worried about the cost of heating their homes right now. With Watson Fuels’ Monthly Payment Scheme, you can spread the cost of your annual fuel use over 12 monthly payments. It’s a simple way to prevent large one-off bills that arrive at a bad time. Find out more about our Monthly Payment Scheme here.