The £100 Home Heating Oil Support Scheme, announced recently by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, is now live for applications.
The £100 digital pre-paid card scheme will support around 340,000 households who use oil as their main source of heating.
Minister Lyons is urging anyone who may be eligible for the support to make an application.
Minister Lyons said: “The £100 Home Heating Oil Support Scheme is now live for applications. I am urging all those who believe they may be eligible, or those assisting them, to check the criteria on nidirect and make an application. The process is easy and fast.
“The digital pre-paid card will go some way to meeting the challenge of rising fuel costs and will benefit those who need it most as we head into the colder months.”
One digital card per household 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 (including pensioners) of less than £30,000 after allowable deductions.
The scheme is now open for applications and will close for new applications on March 31, 2027.
Minister Lyons continued: “Support and advice is available from my Department by phone for those who cannot make an online application.
“I realise this one-off support will not by itself remedy the issue of long term fuel poverty, however I hope that it will go some way to easing the burden on hard-pressed households across Northern Ireland.
“The Consumer Council website provides a daily Home Heating Oil Price Checker, providing transparent, real-time pricing information to help consumers compare oil prices across Northern Ireland, allowing them to make informed purchasing decisions. The NI Housing Executive runs oil buying clubs that can also assist.”
The Minister added: “My Department has put in place a robust scheme that includes strong counter-fraud measures whilst making use of technology so that applications are processed as quickly as possible. In some cases, we may need to request additional information; however, the vast majority of applications will be processed quickly through an automated system.”
Noyona Chundur, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, said: “Now that the £100 Home Heating Oil Support Scheme is open, we would encourage all eligible households to apply. With household budgets continuing to be stretched by ongoing cost pressures, this support can help ease some of the financial burden and contribute towards the cost of home heating oil which has gone up in price over the last few days.
“Consumers can also use the Consumer Council’s free daily Home Heating Oil Price Checker to compare prices across Northern Ireland and help ensure households are making a more informed decision when ordering home heating oil.”
Advice NI, which is funded by the Department for Communities, also encouraged those who may be eligible to apply.
CEO Fiona Magee said: “Advice NI and our network of independent advice centres are here to help people access the support they are entitled to.
“We know some schemes can be challenging, particularly for people who are vulnerable or digitally excluded. Our advisers can help people check their eligibility and complete applications.
“We encourage anyone who thinks they may qualify to visit nidirect or contact Advice NI for support.
“Remember to apply before the deadline, then activate and redeem your digital pre-paid card.”
Housing Executive Chair Nicole Lappin said: “We welcome the introduction of the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme to help those struggling with the affordability of home heating oil.
“The Housing Executive offers additional support through our Oil Savings Network, which helps members save on average between £10 – £30 on 200 litres of oil.
“To join simply email NIenergyadvice@nihe.gov.uk.”
The scheme went live for applications at 00:01 on Wednesday 9 September 2026.
To apply or for more information on the scheme go to nidirect: Home Heating Oil Support Scheme
Those needing more assistance can contact staff across the Jobs and Benefits Office network or contact the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme helpline on 0800 072 0266.
The Department’s Make the Call and Veterans Support Line NI services are ready to provide support.
