The UK government has given details of its next aid programme. Who will receive a subsidy on their electricity and gas bills? It’s all clear now.
The authorities in the UK have been launching further financial crisis relief schemes for the past few months. The first of these was a £150 Council Tax rebate surcharge.
Transfers were paid into the accounts of residents whose homes have been awarded Band A to D. Most were paid out by the end of May.
Another scheme is Cost of Living. Here the payments apply to around 8 million residents, mainly those in receipt of benefits such as Universal Credit.
The total transfer amount is £650. It was split into two parts. The first tranche was paid from 14 July and amounted to £326. The next is due to hit accounts in October.
Also from October, another Boris Johnson scheme will be launched. It involves a surcharge on energy bills.
Who will receive it? Literally everyone! The subsidy will be paid per household.
However, these will not be transfers to accounts. The £400 will be divided into six instalments – one of £66 and five more of £67.
These instalments will then be deducted automatically from your electricity and gas bills for six months. Some of us will receive special vouchers – this arrangement applies to rechargeable meter owners. They will then use the vouchers precisely to top up their meter.
And here’s the most important bit of information – you don’t have to apply for a bill top-up. Every household is automatically eligible, with no exceptions.
Please note, however, that the surcharge applies to the household, not the residents. The £400 will be deducted from the bill of the person in whose name the electricity and gas meters are set up – even if they do not live there and, for example, sublet rooms.