An Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme was signed into law in March 2022. This scheme allows for a Government Electricity Allowance to be given all Domestic Electricity Customers in Ireland .
Approximately 2.1 million domestic electricity account holders in Ireland benefitted from the first Government Electricity Credit Scheme for a one-off credit of €176.22 on their electricity accounts in April 2022.
The credit was €176.22 (excluding VAT.) This meant that the total impact for each domestic electricity account was €200. (VAT on electricity was 13.5% but it is now 9%). See VAT Rates in Ireland here.
When Will the Next Government Electricity Credit be paid?
Further payments of electricity allowances were announced in Budget 2023. There will be a total credit of €600 paid on all household electricity bills , made as three separate credits of €200 on the bi-monthly bills starting in November 2022 .
The credits will show as €183.47 – because they are net of VAT. If VAT of 9% was charged on €183.47 it would cost €200.
- The first credit instalment of €200 (€183.47 + €16.53 VAT) was available from November 1, 2022. Some households may not see this credit on their bill until December or January 2023 depending on when they are billed.
- The second credit instalment of €200 (€183.47 + €16.53 VAT) will start to be available from January 1, 2023. Some households may not get this credit until February or March 2023 depending on when they are billed.
- The third credit instalment of €200 (€183.47 + €16.53 VAT) will start to be available from March 1, 2023. Some households won’t see this credit on a bill until April or May depending on when they are due to be billed.
The Government said they will examine ways to ensure that Travellers who pay local authorities for electricity also get the full benefit of the credit.
Electricity Credit For Prepay Customers
The electricity allowances or credits will also be given to prepayment customers as full €200 credit / top up codes that can be entered on their accounts. The first top-up code was expected between Nov 1st and Nov 11th.
The third €200 instalment of government electricity credit should be received by Prepay customers no later than March 7th, 2023.
We recommend you continue topping up prepay meters (even €10 a week) after receiving your government electricity credit to help you build a cushion for your extra energy usage in winter.
If you have an older pre-pay meter that has a pre-pay limit, you may have to redeem each of your electricity credits over separate top-ups (vends), over the space of a few days. To redeem your credits, you should pay €10 towards your electricity. Your credit will then be automatically added to the top-up. (two credits of €90 and one of €20) You should allow one day between each €10 payment.
Government Credits After Switching Electricity Provider
For the 3 government electricity credits – the supplier you are with on the following dates will be responsible for paying you the credit.
- 27 October 2022 (for the first payment period)
- 20 December 2022 (for the second payment period)
- 27 February 2022 (for the third payment period)
If you switch suppliers before the credit can be applied to your bill – you should be paid instead by bank transfer or cheque by your old electricity supplier
Other Help With Fuel Bills
Thousands of households already get help towards fuel bills with the Winter Fuel Allowance . The fuel allowance amounts to €924 a year for eligible households.
Due to increasing energy costs – the government paid an extra €125 to all fuel allowance recipients in the week beginning 14 March 2022.
An extra €100 was also paid out in May 2022 and a further one-off fuel allowance payment of €400 was paid out in early November 2022.
There will NOT be any extra payment of Fuel Allowance in March or April 2023.
More people should be able to qualify for the Fuel Allowance in 2023 because of changes to the income thresholds. Read more about Claiming Fuel Allowance 2023.
Under the Household Benefit Scheme, about 400,00 people also receive €35 a month towards electricity OR gas all year round. That works out at €420 a year per claimant. Some of these people will also qualify for the Fuel Allowance.
VAT on Energy Bills :
The VAT on gas and electricity was temporarily cut from 13.5 per cent to 9 per cent . See VAT Rates Ireland
The VAT rate on energy is due to go back up to 13.5% in October 2023.
See where to get the Cheapest Electricity Here
Problems Paying Energy Bills?
If you are facing difficulty paying your electricity or gas bill, you should contact your supplier and seek to come to an agreement on a payment plan. Energy suppliers must arrange practical payment plans to assist domestic customers who have built up arrears. Any repayment arrangements must take into account the customer’s circumstances and must be reasonable and affordable.
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is the State’s money advice service, guiding people through dealing with problem debt. MABS runs a Helpline (0818 07 2000) Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm)
Grants for Heat Pumps and Insulation
Gov.ie
Northern Ireland Emergency Fuel Payment Scheme