‘It’s dreadful and scary’: people living off-grid feel forgotten after delays to energy bill support
People living off-grid without a direct relationship to an energy supplier, such as park home, houseboat or caravan residents, are eligible.The Government has said online applications will open in January for the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding, while the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment Scheme is due to launch in February.In the meantime, people living off grid have told how they have struggled to heat their homes as the UK faced its.
Rosy has contacted her local council to find out when she will receive support with her energy bills, but the council did not have any information. He was told by his council that he will be able to fill out a form on the Government’s website in January, but has not received any more updates.Last summer, he spent £1,500 filling up his diesel tank due to fears that diesel prices were going to keep rising.“That will last me a year, but it would be nice to have this £400. I was sort of banking on that to offset it,” he said.
“I’ve not got to the point where it’s heating or eating, but it worries me when I see a boat that hasn’t got smoke coming out of the chimney,” he said. Duncan said he has to keep his fire burning 24/7 in winter. He is now spending over £10 per day on wood and coal