The Budget package includes a new Electricity Cost Emergency Benefit Scheme through which €412.83 (exclusive of VAT) will be credited to each domestic electricity account in three payments of €137.61 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - December 2023, January/February 2024 and March/April 2024. The estimated cost of this scheme is €1.007 billion.
The payment will be applied to domestic electricity accounts, including those with Pay As You Go meters, which are subject to distribution use of system charges at the rate for urban domestic customers (DG1) or the rate for rural domestic customers (DG2). The previous two schemes used the single identifier of the Meter Point Registration Number (MPRN) to ensure payments could be administered automatically and without an application/approval process. However, under Scheme III, usage levels will be assessed to ensure that payments are withheld in relation to low usage electricity accounts identified by the distribution system operator, to prevent the payment from being applied to vacant houses. There will be a review process to ensure the payment is not withheld from vulnerable customers or people with financial hardship meters.
Following implementation of the previous two schemes, my Department became aware of a cohort that did not receive payment under Schemes I & II. This relates to properties that receive electricity through a “submeter”. This situation occurs where an existing dwelling has been divided for the purposes of accommodating additional people and provides an independent meter for this accommodation. Examples of this situation would include a secondary suite, or house being modified to contain further distinct units than for which it was initially purposed.
The Submeter Support Scheme is being introduced to ensure that €412.83 (exclusive of VAT) is credited to each such account, in three payments of €137.61 (exclusive of VAT) in each of the following billing periods - December 2023, January/February 2024 and March/April 2024.
Complementary measures to support traveller households on Local Authority sites will also be established and DECC will engage with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) in relation to this measure.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, the Department of Social Protection can make Additional Needs Payments (ANPs) to help meet expenses, such as energy costs, that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
Applications for ANPs can be made by completing a SWA1 form which is available in all Intreo Centres and Social Welfare Branch Offices and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, if a person has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.
