- 500,000 households in Northern Ireland will receive energy vouchers from the UK Government from mid-January
- Customers with a direct debit arrangement with their energy supplier will receive the payment directly to their bank account and will not be provided with vouchers.
About 500,000 households in Northern Ireland will receive vouchers from the UK Government, starting mid-January, to help cope with the burden of increasing energy bills. This was announced in Mid-December by the UK Government for all households across Northern Ireland to receive a single £600 payment, consisting of £400 through the Energy Bills Support Scheme Northern Ireland (EBSS NI) and the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment (AFP).
Energy and Climate Minister Graham Stuart confirmed that for customers on standard credit schemes without direct debits set up, and those on prepayment (keypad) meters, this will take the form of vouchers, with the most vulnerable customers getting priority access. Also, customers with a direct debit arrangement with their energy supplier will receive the payment directly to their bank account and will not be provided with vouchers.
Vouchers will start to be issued in mid-January, with every eligible customer receiving them in time to feel the benefit this winter. This comes on top of the Energy Price Guarantee which has so far saved each household in Northern Ireland using electricity around £65 and a further £75 for those using gas. The Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris said “This is welcome news for many Northern Ireland households who do not pay for their electricity via direct debit and I hope provides further reassurance as we enter the new year”. In addition, Northern Ireland, Minister Stuart also urged them to beware of scams which the Government is already aware are being attempted. He warned customers that vouchers will come in the form of letters, will carry badges of the relevant electricity supplier and the UK Government, and will contain a barcode.