Around 900,000 households across the UK can apply for a one-off £400 support payment from today, February 27.
In a bid to help with the rising cost of energy bills, the Government is providing additional support for thousands eligible throughout Edinburgh, with the online application portal launching on Monday.
Households without a direct relationship to an electricity supplier, for example those living in park homes and care homes, can now apply using the online portal. Those eligible will receive a one-off, non-repayable lump sum under the "alternative funding" route of the Government's Energy Bills Support Scheme. Customers can also get assistance with their application if unable to access the online portal.
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The £400 payment will be paid directly into the bank account of eligible applicants. However, the payment date will different depending on when the support can be processed by the relevant local authority, reports Wales Online.
According to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), more than £7.2 billion has been provided to support 97 per cent of households across Scotland, England and Wales. Currently, households are receiving monthly instalments to help with energy costs.
With the launch of the new support scheme, ministers have issued a warning to households to stay alert to potential scams. Anyone who thinks they have been victim to a scam should report the issue to the relevant authorities.
The Government will never provide any links to the application portal, or directly reach out to households or individuals to urge them to apply for the £400 support payment.
Minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Amanda Solloway, said: “We understand the pressure households are under which is why we’ve already stepped in to pay around half of people’s energy bills this winter, and from today, thousands more will be able to apply securely for their £400.
“Today I’m urging everyone who couldn’t get their EBSS discounts in the regular way to apply via our secure channels. If you don’t have a direct contract with an electricity supplier, it’s essential you submit your application as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner help can get to you.”
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