HM Government Energy Supports

Energy Bills Support Scheme(EBSS)

Please find the full list of FAQs here.

What is this payment?

This is a payment of £600 from HM Government to households in Northern Ireland to help with energy bills. It is going to households who have a domestic contract with an electricity supplier.

The payment is the combined Energy Bills Support Scheme and Alternative Fuels Discount Payment Northern Ireland, funded by HM Government and facilitated by electricity suppliers and the Post Office. 

Update on Payment?

To date 96% of Electric Ireland customers have either received their bank transfer or redeemed their voucher payment.

Vouchers have been delivered from 16^th January onwards. Payments to customers who are on suppliers’ Customer Care Registers will be prioritised.

For the latest information and advice on the £600 payment, please visit: Electric Ireland - £600 Payment - Update

Customers who have received vouchers with an expiry date of 31^st March 2023 are urged to redeem vouchers as soon as possible please follow the instructions enclosed with the voucher.

Further details of the different payment methods are below:

Customers who pay by Direct Debit

Direct Debit customers:

1. Have received the payment directly to their bank account.

OR

1. If suppliers have been unable to complete a direct payment for a Direct Debit customer into their bank account, then that customer will receive a voucher from the Post Office in the name of the electricity account holder.

Customers who pay by standard credit (bill pay)

Credit Customers who pay for their electricity by standard credit (bill pay) will have received a payment to their bank if applicable.  For those who cannot be paid by bank transfer they will receive voucher from the Post Office in the name of the electricity account holder. Customers who are on suppliers'

Customers who pay for their electricity via a keypad meter

Customers who pay for their electricity via a keypad meter will receive a voucher in the mail from the Post Office addressed to the ‘Occupier’. Customers who are on suppliers' Customer Care Registers will receive their vouchers first.

Pass through regulations

The Government recently made regulations to require that third-party intermediaries, such as landlords, who receive EBSS AFP NI must pass that support through to end users, such as tenants, in a just and reasonable way. Please find more guidance on pass-through requirements can be found at Guidance on pass-through requirements can be found at GOV.UK.

Beware of scams

The payment is automatic. Communications from any source suggesting you need to provide personal information, phone a number, or follow a link are likely to be scams. 

If you pay by direct debit or if you use a keypad meter suppliers generally have all the information they need to get this payment to you. If suppliers need to contact you they will do so directly.

Exercise caution. Do not click on suspicious links. You can report messages you think are suspicious at report@phishing.gov.uk.

Energy Price Guarantee

The Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) scheme which reduces the amount you will be charged per unit of electricity will continue in 2023. HM Government has revised the level of support from January 1^st 2023 it will be 13.6 pence/kWh.  The UK Government announced on 15^th March a change in the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) support rate, from 13.608 pence/kWh to 3.7697 pence/kWh which comes into effect from 1^st April 2023.

For Billpay customers: The Energy Price Guarantee has already been applied to your bill, the revised rate will be automatically come into effect on the 1^st April 2023. You do not need to take any further action.

For Keypad customers: The revised Energy Price Guarantee will be automatically applied to your account, you will receive a 40 digit code with your next top up from the 21st March to enter into your keypad meter. This will adjust the tariff in preparation
for the new rate reduction from 1^st April 2023. Once you have entered your 40-digit code you do not need to take any further action.

We would like to make all our Keypad customers aware that they do DO NOT need to contact us to update their details.

Keypad customers will receive a voucher addressed to the occupier of their property which they should bring (with their keypad card or app) to the Post Office to redeem.

The payment can be made direct into their bank account if a bank card is supplied or for those without a bank or credit union account, the Post Office will redeem for cash – subject to the branch having the cash available.

For more information please see: Northern Ireland households to receive voucher support for energy bills starting in January - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Tariff Update
Your existing and new unit rates from 1st April 2023 are as follows:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is HM government introducing the Energy Bill Support Scheme(EBSS)?

The global cost of wholesale energy has resulted in increased energy costs. HM government has introduced the Energy Price Guarantee Scheme and the Energy Bill Support Scheme to help reduce the impact of energy bills this winter.

How does the Energy Bill Support Scheme Work?

HM Government is providing a payment of £600 to help with energy bills. This includes £400 under the Energy Bills Support Scheme and £200 under the Alternative Fuel Payment scheme. We will be passing this payment automatically to all our customers in January. You do not need to contact us to receive it, and you should beware of scam messages suggesting you need to apply or provide bank details. Further details of the different payment methods are below:

Customers who pay by Direct Debit will receive the £600 in their bank account directly.

Customers who have a standard credit account (without a direct debit arrangement) or a prepay (keypad) meter will receive vouchers. They will need to take action to redeem these. We will provide more information on the voucher scheme shortly, and there is no need to contact us in the meantime.

Do I need to submit a meter reading?

You do not need to submit a meter read.

What if I can’t pay my bill?

The EBSS support scheme is still applied to your Bill

At Electric Ireland, we understand that anyone can experience financial difficulties. If you are struggling to pay your energy bills, our friendly and professional Customer Care team are here to help when and where they can. Please contact our customer care department on 0800 313 4926 or email customerservice@electricireland.com

What is the NI Energy Charter?

The Utility Regulator, the Consumer Council, the Department for Communities, Department for the Economy, and the gas and electricity suppliers have come together to provide households with extra support measures this winter.

Electricity and gas suppliers in Northern Ireland have voluntarily supported a new energy charter, whose development has been led by the Utility Regulator and the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland.  

In signing up to this Charter, electricity and gas suppliers have agreed to:

• contribute to a hardship fund for households struggling with their bills;
• reduce the maximum debt repayment rate amount to 20%;
• ensure customers on their care registers will not be moved onto pre-payment meters, unless it is requested;
• guarantee that households will not be moved onto a pre-payment meter over the Christmas period, unless they request it;
• make sure that customers on their care registers are aware of the best tariff available; and
• all consumers will be able to avail of a single website offering clear, up-to-date information on energy efficiency and other matters

The charter can be accessed here Utility regulator charter3 (uregni.gov.uk) with FAQ on the charter here Energy Charter FAQs - final.pdf (uregni.gov.uk)

Energy charter launched to help consumers this winter | Utility Regulator (uregni.gov.uk)