Customer Advice For Oil-Heated Households in England

What’s happening?

Following discussions with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) please find below information regarding funding which has been recently made available in England.

Vulnerable households in England who heat their homes with oil may be able to get support from their local authority through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).

The CRF helps low-income households facing financial difficulties due to a sudden or unexpected cost, including rising heating oil prices.

How the support works

Support is available now through your local authority. Funding sits within each authority’s Crisis and Resilience Fund, which replaces the Household Support Fund. Help is aimed at vulnerable households in crisis who need support with heating costs. Not every household using heating oil will be eligible – support is targeted at those most in need.

Important information from UKIFDA

Contact your local authority — not your local heating oil distributor or UKIFDA — for all information and applications. Each local authority decides who can apply, what support looks like, and how the scheme is run. Be alert to scams. Councils will not cold‑call asking for bank details or payments. Do not share personal or banking information with anyone claiming to offer early access to funding.

What to do next

Visit your local authority’s website or contact them directly if you think you may be eligible for support.

How the Government has allocated the funding

To support oil‑heated homes, the UK Government has provided £27 million to local authorities across England.

This funding has been shared out based on:

– How many households in each area rely on heating oil.
– Levels of deprivation in each local authority.
– Whether at least 1% of homes use heating oil (these areas receive a direct allocation).

Not every local authority will receive additional funding, but all local authorities are expected to support vulnerable households who use heating oil through their CRF.

UKIFDA will continue working with the Government to ensure rural and off‑grid households receive clear, fair access to support.

Visit the Government website for more information: Over £50 million to help families struggling with soaring heating oil costs – GOV.UK

To find the details of your local authority visit: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

England Q&A Guide for Government Support

What support is available?

The UK Government has provided funding to local authorities in England to support vulnerable households through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).
This may include support for households that rely on heating oil and are experiencing financial difficulty.

Who is eligible for this support?

Support is aimed at:
– Low-income households.
– Those facing financial hardship.
– Households struggling with heating costs.

Eligibility is set by each local authority, so criteria may vary depending on where you live. Not all households using heating oil will qualify.

How do I apply?

You will need to apply through your local authority.
Each council manages its own scheme, including how to apply and what support is available.
You can find your local authority here: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

How much support will I receive?

This depends on your local authority.
Each council decides:
– How much support is available.
– How it is provided (for example, grants or other assistance).

When is the support available?

Funding is available now through local authorities, but application timelines and availability may vary by area.

Why does the support differ depending on where I live?

The Government has provided funding to local authorities, but each council is responsible for running its own scheme.
This means:
– Eligibility criteria can differ.
– The type and level of support may vary.

Is this support guaranteed for all heating oil customers?

No.
This support is targeted at vulnerable households most in need. Not everyone who uses heating oil will be eligible.

Does this support include LPG customers?

Local authorities may choose to support households using LPG, but this will depend on their individual criteria and priorities.

I’ve been contacted about this funding — is it genuine?

Please be cautious.
– Local authorities will not cold call asking for bank details or payments.
– Do not share personal or financial information with anyone offering early access to funding.

If you are unsure, contact your local authority directly using official contact details.

Should I wait for this support before ordering heating oil?

We recommend not waiting.
This support is targeted and not guaranteed, so it’s important to ensure you don’t run out of heating oil.

Where can I find more information?

You can:
– Contact your local authority directly.
– Visit the Government website for further guidance.

We will also continue to share updates as more information becomes available.