Fuel Poverty Support Guide

This guide provides information on payments and grants available to low-income households, grants available to higher income households, and other useful information and support.

Support for those in fuel poverty can be in the form of:

  • Help with paying for energy costs;
  • Energy advice – advice using heating systems, fuel use, heating appliances, tariffs;
  • Energy efficiency – insulation, efficient heating systems and controls.

The three tables below provide information on the support available:

  1. Payments and grants available to low-income households
  2. Grants available to higher income households
  3. Other useful information

Payments and grants available to low-income households 

Support available Details Contact information
Cold Weather Payment

This payment is made to people on certain benefits, between 1 November and 31 March, where the average daily temperature is recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0˚C or below for 7 days in a row.  You can find more information on the nidirect website.

 

For those eligible, there is no need to apply; the payment is made automatically.

 

If you have had a baby or if a child under five comes to live to you, the payment will not be made automatically and you will need to ring the office that pays your benefits.

If you do need to claim for any reason, contact the office that pays your benefits.
Winter Fuel Payment This is a payment for pension-aged people to help with heating bills during the winter.  For those eligible, there is no need to apply; the payment is made automatically.  You can find more information on the nidirect website. If you do need to claim for any reason, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

Boiler Replacement

Scheme

This scheme provides grant aid to replace boilers which are at least 15 years’ old.  You can find more information on the NIHE website.

Get in touch using the numbers below, and ask to speak to your local Grants Office:

  • 03448-920-900
  • Textphone 18001-03448-920-900 
Affordable Warmth 
Scheme 
 
This is a grant aid schemed aimed at improving energy efficiency measures.  It is targeted at those geographical areas where levels of fuel poverty are highest.  It is administered by local councils and you can find more information on the NIHE website. 

Call your local council and ask to speak to the officer dealing with the Affordable Warmth Scheme.

Contact details for the councils.

NEA Belfast Warm and Well Project

This project aims to help people living in the Belfast area who are struggling to keep their home warm.  It offers advice and practical support to stay warm and well.

Contact NEA:

  • 028-9023-9909
  • warmandwell@nea.org.uk  
NIHE HeatSmart 
Scheme 
 
The HeatSmart scheme is a home visiting service delivered by NHIE to their tenants.  N/A 
NI Energy Advice Line  This is an advice line funded by NIHE to provide energy advice to all energy consumers.  It gives advice on energy efficiency grants, switching energy supplier, how to save energy and money, renewable energy and insulation.  You can find more information on the NIHE website.

To contact:

  • Use the online 'Get in Touch form in the first instance
  • NIenergyadvice@nihe.gov.uk
  • 0800-111-4455
NISEP Make It Cosy  Full funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall insulation, etc.  This is a complete list of NISEP programmes.

To contact:

  • 0800-0283-046
  • 028-9030-1500

NISEP Help to Heat

50% funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall insulation, etc.  This is a complete list of NISEP programmes.

To contact: 
•    0800-0283-046 
•    028-9030-1500  
 
NISEP Energy  Efficient Homes 
 
Full funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall and loft insulation, etc. This is a complete list of NISEP programmes

Apply to:

nisep_applications.uk@engie.com

NISEP Energy Plus 

Full funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall and loft insulation, etc.

Only available in the Phoenix Natural Gas Greater Belfast Area and East Down License Area.  This is a complete list of NISEP programmes

To contact: 
  • nisep.applications@fusionheating.co.uk
  • 028-9044-9499 
NISEP Energy 
Plus – Efficient 
Oil 
 

Full funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall insulation, etc.  Available in off-gas areas only.  This is a complete list of NISEP programmes.

To contact: 
  • nisep.applications@fusionheating.co.uk
  • 028-9044-9499
NISEP Home 
Comfort Plus 
Scheme 
 

Full funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall and loft insulation, etc. This scheme is available in the Firmus energy network area only. 

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes

To contact:

  • nisep.applications@firmusenergy.co.uk 
  • 0330-024-9000 
NISEP Home 
Comfort 50/50 
Scheme 
 

50% funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall and loft insulation, etc. This scheme is available in the Firmus energy network area only.  

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes

To contact:

  • nisep.applications@firmusenergy.co.uk 
  • 0330-024-9000 
NISEP Warm at 
Home Plus 
 

Full funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall and loft insulation, etc.  This scheme is available in the SGN Natural Gas network area only. 

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes

To contact: 
  • info@SGNNaturalGas.co.uk 
  • 0800-975-7774  
NISEP Warm at 
Home 
Cashback 
 

50% funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall and loft insulation, etc. This scheme is available in the SGN Natural Gas network area only.

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes  

To contact: 
  • info@SGNNaturalGas.co.uk 
  • 0800-975-7774  
NISEP Better 
Energy Homes 
Plus 

Full funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall and loft insulation, etc.  

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes  

Apply to: 
  • Damian.Kelly@okaneplumbingandelect rics.com 
  • 028-8675-1049  
NISEP Better 
Energy Homes 
Cashback 
 

50% funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall and loft insulation, etc.

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes    

Apply to: 
  • Damian.Kelly@okaneplumbingandelect rics.com 
  • 028-8675-1049  
NISEP 
Efficiency Plus 
 

50% funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; cavity wall and loft insulation, etc.  Available in the Phoenix Natural Gas Greater Belfast License area and East Down License area only. 

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes    

Apply to: 
 
  • ciaran.mcgahan@phoenixnaturalgas.com 
  • 028-9055-5576 
  • neil.mccracken@phoenixnaturalgas.com 
  • 028-9055-5516 
NISEP 
Homewarmer Plus 
 

Full funding for cavity wall and/or loft insulation; hot water tank jacket; and LED light bulbs.

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes    

Apply to: 
  • sales@warmfill.com 
  • 028-9042-7933 
NISEP Keep Warm 

Full funding for cavity wall and/or loft insulation; hot water tank jacket; and LED light bulbs.  

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes  

Apply to: 

  • info@homesealni.co.uk 
  • 028-7962-7474  
NISEP Thermal 
Comfort 
 
 

Full funding for cavity wall and/or loft insulation; hot water tank jacket; and LED light bulbs.  

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes

To contact: 
  • 0800-0283-046 
  • 028-9030-1500 
NISEP 
Comfortable 
Living Insulation grant 
 

£200 grant for cavity wall insulation and/or loft insulation for Housing Association properties only.

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes  

To contact: 
  • 0800-0283-046 
  • 028-9030-1500 
NISEP Pump Up the Heat 

Full funding for air-to-water heat pump; insulation measures including cavity wall and loft insulation; LED lightbulbs. 

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes

To contact: 
  • 0800-0283-046 
  • 028-9030-1500 
NISEP Whole 
House Warmer 
Homes NI 
 

Full funding for a range of heat and insulation measures including natural gas / oil central heating or oil central heating system; external wall and loft insulation, etc.  

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes

Apply to: 
  • info@koreretrofit.com or donovanogle@koresystems.com 
  • 020-7859-4292 

Grants available to higher income households that do not qualify for the lower-income schemes

These households must be homeowners or private tenants.

Support available  Details  Contact information 
NISEP £250 
Insulation Cashback 
 
 

£250 grant towards cavity wall insulation and/or 
loft insulation.

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes

To contact:

  • 0800-0283-046
  • 028-9030-1500
NISEP Keeping You Warmer 
 

£250 grant towards cavity wall insulation and/or loft insulation.  

This is a complete list of NISEP programmes

Apply to: 
  • sales@warmfill.com 
  • 028-9042-7933 

Other useful information

Support available  Details  Contact information 
NIHE Energy Advice Oil Buying Clubs 
 
Oil buying clubs allow people to order as little as 200 litres of oil at a time; but because club members’ orders are put together, they get the going rate, thus works out cheaper than using 20 litre oil drums.  The oil buying club takes care of all aspects of the delivery.  You can find out more information on the NIHE website. To find a club near you and to order oil: 
  • 028-9598-2068 
  • 028-9598-3316 
  • Text 079-3984-3716
  • youroilbuyingclubs@nihe.gov.uk
St Vincent de 
Paul and Salvation Army 
 

St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army provide a range of emergency supports. 

Find your local SVP centre

Find your local Salvation Army centre.

DfC Finance Support 

A range of financial supports are available from DfC, including Discretionary Support; Budgeting Loans; Contingency Grants; Short-term Benefit Advances; and Sure Start Maternity Grants. 

More details are available in the Finance Support section of NI Direct. 

To contact: 
  • Use the online form 
  • 0800-587-2750 
  • 0800-587-2751 (for those 
  • with hearing and speech difficulties) 

 

Oil Price Check  The Consumer Council maintains an up-to-date list of oil prices around NI; check the latest prices. N/A
Other support   Other support may be available locally via local community organisations, local Councils, charitable organisations or local advice centres.  N/A

 

Contact information

Advice NI Policy Team

Advice NI

Forestview

Purdys Lane

Belfast

BT8 7AR

Tel: 028 9064 5919