Help with energy bills

Electric socket, flame and bill

From 1 October 2022, the Energy Price Guarantee will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas so that a typical household in Great Britain pays, on average, around £2,500 a year on their energy bill, for the next 2 years. 

Beware of scams – there is no need to apply and you will never be asked for bank details.

This is in addition to the £400 energy bills discount for all households.

More information about the help and support available can be found on the government website

The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding

The Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) provides a discount on energy bills of £400 for most households in Great Britain. This scheme is being delivered through domestic electricity suppliers in six instalments from October 2022 to March 2023. However, there are a number of households who pay their electricity in a different way, such as through a commercial intermediary, and so will not receive support through EBSS. The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS Alternative Funding) was set up to provide the payment to these households.

The EBSS Alternative Funding is a one off £400 non-repayable support payment to eligible households who have not received the main EBSS payment automatically to help with their energy bills between 1 October 2022 and 31 March 2023.

The official scheme ‘go live’ date is 27 February 2023. The scheme closes to new applications on 31 May 2023.

You can find full details on the payment on the Government application portal

For any queries or if you cannot apply online, call the helpline.

  • Telephone: 0808 175 3287
  • Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm

Please note that this application process is being administered by The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, therefore any queries need to be directed to the above telephone number and not Runnymede Borough Council.

Alternative Fuel payment

The Alternative Fuel Payment provides a payment of £200 for households that use alternative fuels such as heating oil, biomass and liquefied petroleum (LPG) as the main source of heating.

The vast majority of eligible households will receive the Alternative Fuel Payment through their electricity supplier. However, there will be a small number of households that will be required to complete an application form as they do not have a direct relationship with an electricity supplier.

Individuals will need to apply via a Gov.UK portal. The scheme will go live on 6 March 2023 and close for applications on 31 May 2023.

Further details can be found on the government website