Winter Energy Support Scheme

Funded by the UK government, the Household Support Fund scheme supports vulnerable Kent households in need of help with significantly rising living costs. As one element of this support, a winter energy support scheme for self-referral and for professionals to refer people into has been set up.

The scheme is open and will close on Thursday 29 February 2024 or until the funds allocated are used up. Only one application per household will be allowed.

Successful applicants will receive a £100 virtual or physical energy card* which can be redeemed against their energy costs, either online with energy suppliers or instore at PayPoint or PayZone retailers.

Who is eligible?

Applicants making a self-referral will be required to provide evidence of proof of residence at a Kent address as part of the application process. We expect professionals who are completing the application on behalf of others to complete due diligence checks of applications to ensure recipients of support meet the eligibility criteria:

You will be eligible for assistance if you:

• are aged 16 or over
• are a Kent resident, permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bexley, or Bromley)
• have a household income of less than £40,000 per annum before tax, including all benefits and employment income
• do not have more than £1,000 in savings, not including funds you have identified for the payment of regular bills
• are the named utility bill payer for the household. (One application per household)
• do not receive free school meals voucher support from your child’s school over the school holidays, for any child within your household.

If your family is eligible for benefits-related free school meals, you should already have received support, with schools already providing a £100 energy voucher per eligible child at the end of October 2023. If you receive benefits-related free school meals and have not received this support, contact your child’s school for guidance.

Residents with no recourse to public funding are still eligible for the scheme. If a National Insurance number is not available, email householdsupportfund@kent.gov.uk with the circumstances and reasons why the applicant should receive this support and attach all supporting evidence to the email.

Make an application

If you wish to make an application for yourself or know of someone who meets the criteria and would benefit from the scheme please see the Household Support Fund webpage for further information and to make an application for support.

*The card is issued by GVS Prepaid LTD, pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated.

This support is funded by the UK Governments Household Support Fund