Help with oil cost April 1 2026

feduptoo

I live in a rural area and us oil for my heating and hot water. The last time I put in 500 litres it was just under £300. (Around Dec/Jan) Todays quote is £711 . I don't have that amount of money and my tank is empty so I called my local council because I had read that there would be help with oil cost in April. This is how it went. The call lasted 50 minutes, with no time on hold.

First, name and address etc. National insurance number. How much was oil before and how much is it now. Total income per month from bank statements. Then listed outgoings. I wasn't prepared for this so actually forgot some! Rent, food, travel, broadband, phone etc. I had to explain some of it such as taxis. I had a serious accident and can only get out now by using taxis. High food bill due to inflammatory bowel diseases and a very strict diet. The lady was very helpful and prompted me to ask about tv deals. I don't use any of them and don't need a licence so didn't add that in but it would have been entered as outgoings.

She then did calculations and said I would be awarded £150 toward the cost of oil. It is vouchers that will be sent by text messages (2 because it is over £100.) I have to go to a paypoint and show the message codes to receive cash. I have to send a photo or scan of a letter by email as proof of address. She also asked for a receipt for my last oil delivery if I have it but not to worry if I didn't keep it. I will receive the texts tomorrow. I would have had them today but it was closing time and I didn't get the photos sent in time.

This help is not automatic because of benefits, it is means tested.

My council is Warwickshire, I believe each council decides how to process the help.

Hope this helps

deapt666

£150 is something, but still leaves you with over £500 to find. That's brutal. The gap between the old price and new price is just insane. Hope you're able to make it work. Good on the council for being helpful at least, even if the amount doesn't cover it all.

feduptoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81946824#Comment_81946824

Thank you, every little helps but I still can't afford the other £561. I'm grateful for what I am getting but will have to wait for the price to drop a bit more.

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81946824#Comment_81946824

It's not £500 to find if the typical cost was £300. Unless there's some missing info.

fatbelly

£711 minus £150 equals £561

Here's another council's take on it, that seems to avoid the 50-minute phone call

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/benefits-and-support/housing-benefit/crisis-and-resilience-fund-energy-support-scheme/

feduptoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81946824#Comment_81946824

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81946883#Comment_81946883

It is still over £200 more than I have. I now have £450 and the cost is £711.

jackieblack

Can you just get £450 worth now to keep you going then save up for when you need more? Or is 500 litres the minimum delivery?

Altior

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81946914#Comment_81946914

£711 minus £300 minus £150 equals £261

(assuming the next delivery wasn't going to be foc, but as I mentioned, there could be missing info)

CliveOfIndia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947023#Comment_81947023

I'm not sure if it applies to all suppliers or all areas of the country, but certainly where I live (Scotland) then 500 litres is the minimum you can order for delivery.

Some suppliers will sell you smaller quantities in containers if you drive to their depot, but that's quite a hassle and not easy to do if you have any sort of mobility issues. Plus obviously you need to have your own car.

jackieblack

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947071#Comment_81947071

Thanks - I didn’t know that (don’t use oil myself) - I guess I can understand the economic reasoning for that policy, but it’s not helpful when people don’t have the (hugely increased) money for the minimum required quantity… OP isn’t going to be the only person in this predicament…

Perhaps if orders drop enough because of more and more people being in the same situation, suppliers might have to rethink 🤔

feduptoo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81947023#Comment_81947023

500 litres is minimum