So the discretionary fund is.....**drumroll**.......£100 measly quid!?

Spoonie_Turtle

Apodemus said:

mmmmikey said:

...given that the data already exists it's probably a fairly straightforward way of making sure most people get paid...

One added complication, though, is that Scotland didn't conduct the Census until 2022, so the data may not all be available as yet.

They're using data from the 2011 census for Scotland, according to the document.   

MrsPorridge

I received my £67 payment today, but no sign of the extra £200 for us not being on mains gas.

wwally

So no hope of getting the AFP automatically. I applied the logic at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-alternative-fuel-payment-afp-scheme-in-great-britain-guidance-for-electricity-suppliers

a. Off gas grid postcodes. The first house on our mountain road is on mains gas, So we fail this test.

b. Postcode look-up. We are rolled up with about 500 urban houses

c. Census data on heating type. The majority use mains gas, not electric for heating, so this does not eliminate us.

Eventually we will have to apply manually once the AFP payment portal is launched. Surely there was a better way? And surely many, many people are in the same position?

wwally

Looking at the government AFP rules for electricity companies here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1130933/domestic-alternative-fuel-payment-scheme-suppliers-guidance.pdf

Customers in arrears and debt

6.55 While the principal aim of AFP is to support people with ongoing energy costs, AFP may be used to reduce arrears and debt balances in certain circumstances, where customer accounts are in debt and arrears. This applies both where a customer has a debt repayment arrangement and where there is no repayment arrangement in place.

This means that the electricity company can divert the AFP payment to reduce any electricity debt and the customer gets nothing for their Alternative Fuel!!! That is insane. They are just a conduit for the money yet they are allowed to take it!!

Qyburn

wwally said:

This means that the electricity company can divert the AFP payment to reduce any electricity debt and the customer gets nothing for their Alternative Fuel!!! That is insane. They are just a conduit for the money yet they are allowed to take it!!

I agree that seems unjust where the customer may be in arrears, but is repaying on an agreed basis. Different if the customer is in debt and taking no steps to settle.

wwally

Qyburn said:

I agree that seems unjust where the customer may be in arrears, but is repaying on an agreed basis. Different if the customer is in debt and taking no steps to settle.

It seems unjust that a grant for (say) heating oil is snatched by the electricity company, who are solely acting as a conduit to pay the money.

Qyburn

wwally said:

It seems unjust that a grant for (say) heating oil is snatched by the electricity company, who are solely acting as a conduit to pay the money.

To put it another way, you are in debt to your electricity company and refusing to pay or enter an arrangement. Which could mean ultimately the tax payer ends up paying your debt. Do you think it fair that you should receive another chunk of taxpayer's money?

MrsPorridge

Just received a letter from the electric company to say that the £200 will be paid in February - at last!

fatbelly

Still waiting.

Just read this press release

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/households-businesses-and-organisations-off-the-gas-grid-to-receive-energy-bill-support-over-the-coming-weeks

Van_Girl

I've had the £200 credited to my Eon Next account, apparently on 12th Feb

I haven't received a notification but just happened to check my account and it's there