£400 rebate for homes heated by oil

wend33

Am I right in thinking that the rebate cannot be used to purchase heating oil but instead must be credited to an electricity account?
I am very careful with all energy usage but in the case of electricity I'm on a good fixed rate and also have solar panels. What I could really benefit from is £400 towards filling my oil tank - will that be possible does anyone know?

dunstonh

It is not possible directly but could be possible indirectly if you get the electricity provider to refund any excess amount

wend33

dunstonh said:

It is not possible directly but could be possible indirectly if you get the electricity provider to refund any excess amount

I'm sure that will be like pulling teeth!

pochase

Problem might that while nobody knows how the grant will work exactly, the general idea seems to be that there will not be one amount but 6 x 66.67 starting in October. 

So you can reduce your DD for 6 months, but that does not really help you paying upfront for oil.

Van_Girl

pochase said:

Problem might that while nobody knows how the grant will work exactly, the general idea seems to be that there will not be one amount but 6 x 66.67 starting in October. 

So you can reduce your DD for 6 months, but that does not really help you paying upfront for oil.

I wondered about this - I reckon this will be the only way of doing it. That said, while increasing your DD can usually be done online, not so easy for decreasing it. Can't wait to sit on the phone to get that one sorted     

I save a monthly amount for oil, which has doubled since Jan 21, but I'm fortunate that I have other savings if I need to add to it. But I know some people aren't in that boat and there are a lot of people worried about winter 

DE_612183

Van_Girl said:

pochase said:

Problem might that while nobody knows how the grant will work exactly, the general idea seems to be that there will not be one amount but 6 x 66.67 starting in October. 

So you can reduce your DD for 6 months, but that does not really help you paying upfront for oil.

I wondered about this - I reckon this will be the only way of doing it. That said, while increasing your DD can usually be done online, not so easy for decreasing it. Can't wait to sit on the phone to get that one sorted     

I save a monthly amount for oil, which has doubled since Jan 21, but I'm fortunate that I have other savings if I need to add to it. But I know some people aren't in that boat and there are a lot of people worried about winter 

I would like to think that the energy companies themselves will just deduct the £66.67 from the DD and apply a £66.67 credit to the account - but what the betting they don't!

pochase

Van_Girl said:

pochase said:

Problem might that while nobody knows how the grant will work exactly, the general idea seems to be that there will not be one amount but 6 x 66.67 starting in October. 

So you can reduce your DD for 6 months, but that does not really help you paying upfront for oil.

I wondered about this - I reckon this will be the only way of doing it. That said, while increasing your DD can usually be done online, not so easy for decreasing it. Can't wait to sit on the phone to get that one sorted     

I save a monthly amount for oil, which has doubled since Jan 21, but I'm fortunate that I have other savings if I need to add to it. But I know some people aren't in that boat and there are a lot of people worried about winter 

You might want to consider variable direct debit. As your energy use should be similar in winter and summer you might just want to pay what you owe each month. You get the discount for direct debit and the energy grant will be automatically discounted (if it works as we believe)

Van_Girl

pochase said:

You might want to consider variable direct debit. As your energy use should be similar in winter and summer you might just want to pay what you owe each month. You get the discount for direct debit and the energy grant will be automatically discounted (if it works as we believe)

Interesting - I was aware of variable DD's but hadn't really considered it. Will have a look, much appreciated!

dunstonh

The price cap is expected to rise again in October.  So, the £400 may be eaten by that alone. 

pochase

The increase in October is the main reason that we get the £400.

The announcement was made a day after the Ofgem letter.

Linsomer

It's about time help was given to those of us who are on heating oil and have no choice in the matter.  Usually it is those in rural areas on a low income.  Oil users are always overlooked and it's a case of pay £400-£500 up front or else go without heating or hot water.  Unlike gas/electricity you have to find a lump-sum upfront or else, like me, freeze this winter