News & Blogs
22nd September 2026Help with energy costs in Northern Ireland
If you’re worried about the cost of heating your home or paying your electricity bill, there are schemes available to support households across Northern Ireland.
£100 Home Heating Oil Support Scheme
The Home Heating Oil Support Scheme provides eligible households with a £100 digital pre-paid card to help with the cost of home heating oil.
You may be eligible if:
- you live in Northern Ireland
- heating oil is the main source of heating in your home
- you receive a qualifying benefit, or
- you are a single person or couple, including pensioners, with a net annual income of less than £30,000.
Qualifying benefits include Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance, alongside some other qualifying benefits.
You only need to meet the eligibility criteria for at least one day during either April 2026 or November 2026.
Only one £100 digital card is available per eligible residential address. Applications are open until 31 March 2027.
You will need your National Insurance number and, if you are applying based on your income rather than a qualifying benefit, details of your household income.
Apply through nidirect:
Apply for Home Heating Oil Support
If you need help making an application, you can call the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme helpline on 0800 072 0266, Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm.
£63 Household Electricity Discount
Households across Northern Ireland will also receive help with electricity costs through the Household Electricity Discount Scheme.
Eligible domestic electricity customers will receive support worth £63 from 6 October 2026.
You do not need to apply for this support. It will be provided automatically by your electricity supplier and it is not means-tested.
If you pay by bill, a £60 credit will be applied to your electricity account. As the credit is applied before VAT, the overall saving is £63.
If you use a pre-pay or keypad meter, you will receive £63 credit automatically when you top up.
You will never be asked to provide bank details, make a payment or complete an application to receive the electricity discount.
For more information, visit nidirect’s guidance on help with your electricity bill.
If you’re struggling with energy costs, additional advice and support may also be available through the NI Energy Advice Service on 0800 111 4455.
