Get energy bill support in Northern Ireland: Schemes, grants and funding

The home heating oil support scheme is to help households who use home heating oil as their main source of heating. It gives those who are eligible £100 to help them buy their heating.

The qualifying period was between 1–30 April 2026, however there will be a second qualifying week between 1–30 November 2026.

You may be eligible for the home heating oil payment if you’re a resident of Northern Ireland and get a qualifying benefit for one day in the qualifying period, or were single or part of a couple with an income below £30,000 after tax, national insurance and pension contributions. 

Here is a list of the qualifying benefits: 

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Armed Forces Independence Payment 
• The Constant Attendance Allowance element of Industrial Injuries Disablement benefit
• The Constant Attendance Allowance or Mobility Supplement of the War Pension Scheme

You won’t be paid automatically if you’re eligible for the scheme. You will need to apply here between 9 September 2026 and 31 March 2027.

The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme is being run by Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Utility Regulator, until 31 March 2027 (or until funds run out). The aim is to help homes and businesses become more energy efficient, helping to reduce carbon emissions. 

The programme can help people in different circumstances, such as with insulation, solar heating systems and energy saving technology. Each scheme has its own criteria listed.

You can use the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme’s list of schemes and look through the contents section to find which schemes are still available and how to apply for them. Some have already ended so you may need to explore which schemes are still running.

The Affordable Warmth Scheme scheme provides grant funding to help make your home warmer and cheaper to run by making it more energy efficient. 

You may be eligible for the grant if you meet all of the following criteria:

• Location: You live in Northern Ireland.
• Property ownership / tenancy: You own and live in the property as your primary residence, have a life interest arrangement in the home, or rent privately from a commercial landlord.
• Income limit: Your total household annual income is under £23,000.

You won’t be eligible if you fall into the following categories:

• Social housing tenants: This grant is not open to Housing Executive or housing association tenants.
• Ineligible properties: The property can’t be a holiday home, bed and breakfast or commercial premise.

If you qualify, you may be eligible for some of the following:

Top priority: Keeping heat in (insulation, draughts and ventilation):

• Top up or fit loft insulation up to 300mm.
• Add roof, eaves or loft ventilation.
• Fit a hot water cylinder jacket.
• Install cavity wall insulation (where suitable).
• Draught-proof doors and windows.
• Remove and replace old or failing cavity wall insulation.

Second priority: Heating systems

• Swap outdated solid fuel, LPG, or Economy 7 systems for gas or oil central heating.
• Upgrade Economy 7 to high-efficiency electric storage heaters (only if gas and oil aren’t options).
• Replace or upgrade older boilers/​heating systems (if the unit is 15+ years old and the household includes someone over 65, a child receiving Child Benefit or Kinship payments, or someone claiming DLA, PIP, Attendance Allowance or Industrial Injuries Benefit).

Third priority: Window replacement

• Upgrade single-glazed windows to modern double glazing.

Fourth priority: Solid wall measures

• Fit solid wall insulation (available for detached homes only). Because solid wall insulation is a major expense, all higher-priority improvements must be completed first.

Contact the NI Energy Advice Service (NIEAS below):

• Phone: 0800 111 44 55 
• Email: [email protected] 

If the NI Energy Advice Service team agrees that you meet the scheme’s entry requirements, you’ll be sent an application form to complete and return.

The home energy savings tool can help you if you live in Northern Ireland and are looking for ways to be more energy efficient. You’ll be able to create a personalised, online action plan based on your energy needs and your house type, insulation and boiler age. 

Simply answer a few questions and tailor the plan to suit your budget and goals. You can then download and save your action plan so you can come back to it at a later date. 

The Turn2us grants search can help people access financial help that they don’t have to pay back. Anyone can take a few minutes to answer some anonymous questions, but grants may be given for a number of reasons – for example, to those on a low income.

With rising energy bills, it’s important now more than ever to check what you’re entitled to. Whether you’re already receiving benefits, you’re not sure if you’re eligible for any, or you’ve previously not been eligible for any, it’s worth using the free benefits calculator to double check. You could be missing out on important financial support that could impact you and your household.

It’s confidential, free to use and takes less than ten minutes.

If you’re unable to pay your energy bills, don’t struggle on your own. Here are some ways you can get extra support: 

The Customer Care Register (also known as the Critical Care Register in Northern Ireland, or Priority Services register across the UK) are free support systems run by utility companies and network providers for people who need extra support because of their circumstances. There are three types of registers: water suppliers, energy suppliers and the energy network operators. 

Once you’ve signed up, your utility and network providers can tailor their services to meet your needs. It can include anything from advanced warnings of service interruptions, to extra support for vulnerable people and those with accessibility or additional needs. 

You’ll have to directly apply to each of your energy and water suppliers, as well as your network provider, and give them details about your needs, which you can do by phone, in writing or online on their website. They may then get in touch with you to see how they can best give you support. 

Remember that if you have a different energy supplier for gas and electricity, you will need to contact them individually.