£100 heating oil support scheme to open for 340,000 Northern Ireland households

Raymond Gormley, Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, Fiona Magee, Advice NI, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Nicole Lappin, Chair NIHE and David Blevings, Northern Ireland Oil Federation

Around 340,000 households across Northern Ireland could be eligible for a new £100 payment towards the cost of home heating oil, with applications opening next month.

The Home Heating Oil Support Scheme will open on Wednesday 9 September 2026, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has confirmed, providing targeted help as households prepare for another winter of heating bills.

One £100 voucher will be available per address for eligible households that use oil as their main source of heating.

Crucially, the scheme is not restricted only to people receiving benefits. Households may qualify through certain income-related benefits or disability benefits, while single people and couples — including pensioners — with annual household income below £30,000 after allowable deductions may also be eligible.

Applications will remain open until 31 March 2027.

Who could qualify for the £100 payment?

The Department for Communities says the groups identified as most vulnerable to increased heating oil costs include households receiving income-related benefits such as:

• Pension Credit

• Universal Credit

• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance

Eligibility also extends to households receiving specified disability benefits, including:

• Disability Living Allowance

• Personal Independence Payment

• Attendance Allowance

• Armed Forces Independence Payment

• the Constant Attendance Allowance element of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

• the Constant Attendance Allowance or Mobility Supplement element of the War Pension Scheme

Single people and couples, including pensioners, with an annual household income of less than £30,000, net of allowable deductions, may also qualify.

Applicants must use oil as their main source of home heating, and only one voucher will be payable per address.

Minister Lyons said the advance notice was intended to give people time to check whether they qualify and prepare to apply.

“I am making this advance announcement 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.

“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.”

£36.4m scheme ahead of winter

The scheme has a total budget of £36.4 million, comprising £17.2 million allocated by the UK Government and an additional £19.2 million provided by the Northern Ireland Executive.

The announcement comes as the cost of heating remains a concern for oil-dependent households. Unlike much of Great Britain, a significant proportion of Northern Ireland homes rely on heating oil rather than mains gas.

The Minister acknowledged that the £100 payment was an immediate intervention rather than a long-term answer to fuel poverty.

“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.”

Mr Lyons also said a further announcement is expected later this year on changes to the Discretionary Support Scheme.

He said the proposed changes would seek to ensure fuel grant assistance is available to people in need regardless of the type of home heating they use.

How and when to apply

Applications open on 9 September 2026 and must be submitted by 31 March 2027.

People who believe they may qualify are being encouraged to check the eligibility requirements now rather than waiting until applications open.

Full information and applications will be available through nidirect.

Anyone requiring additional help can contact staff through the Jobs and Benefits network.

A dedicated Home Heating Oil Support Scheme helpline — 0800 072 0266 — will operate from 9 September onwards.

The Department’s Make the Call and Veterans Support Line NI services will also provide assistance, while the Department says it is working with organisations across the independent advice and heating oil sectors to support applicants.

Advice available for people who need help

Matt Cole of Advice NI said the independent advice network would be available to help people establish whether they qualify and navigate the application process.

“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.

“As always, the independent advice network stands ready to assist those who need help. As such, anyone who wants to check their eligibility, who needs support with making an application, or who encounters any problems with their claim, can get in touch for free, impartial advice.”

Raymond Gormley of the Consumer Council urged eligible households to make use of the support.

“The Consumer Council encourages all eligible households to apply to the £100 Home Heating Oil Support Scheme. With continued pressure on household budgets, this support can make a valuable contribution towards the cost of a fill of home heating oil.”

David Blevings, Director of the NI Oil Federation, said the assistance comes as oil prices remain susceptible to change.

“We welcome the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme as this will assist consumers in reducing their oil bills as we go into the winter months. While the oil price has fallen back from the initial spike, the situation is still volatile, and this assistance will be greatly appreciated by those who qualify for this support.”

For households across Ballymena and the wider Mid and East Antrim area that rely on heating oil, the key date is now 9 September. Those who think they may qualify can use the period before applications open to check the criteria and prepare, with the scheme remaining available until the end of March 2027.