Home heating oil support scheme to open for eligible households in Northern Ireland

The £100 oil voucher scheme will begin taking applications on September 9.

One voucher per address will be payable where applicants use oil as their main source of heating and receive a qualifying income-related benefit, or a disability benefit, or have an annual income for single people or couples of less than £30,000 after allowable deductions.

The cost of fuel has soared since the war in Iran.

The US and Israel began bombing Iran on February 28, after which the Iranians began an effective blockade of vital trading route the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting energy and fuel supplies.

In Northern Ireland, almost two-thirds of domestic properties use home heating oil.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said he was making an advance announcement of the new scheme “to help eligible people get ready to make their application”.

“My officials have worked at pace to put in place a fair and robust system to help hard-pressed families and individuals who are struggling to meet heating oil costs,” he said.

“I would encourage anyone who may be eligible, or those assisting them, to review the eligibility criteria online and ensure they are ready to submit an application when the scheme opens.”

He added: “I am pleased to have secured Executive support for additional funding to help meet the immediate pressure of rising oil costs, but this measure does not go far enough.

“I will be pressing for funding support for the Warm Healthy Homes Strategy to bring meaningful, lasting change for people living in fuel poverty.”

The scheme will open for applications on September 9 and will close on March 31 2027.

Advice NI’s Matt Cole said: “We have been in close contact with officials from the Department for Communities and appreciate the commitment to developing an application process that should make claiming a payment as fair and straightforward as possible.”

David Blevings, director of the NI Oil Federation, welcomed the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme, saying it “will assist consumers in reducing their oil bills as we go into the winter months”.

The £36.4 million scheme comprises £17.2 million allocated by the UK government and an additional £19.2 million provided by the Executive.