Martin Lewis shares new energy payment update for households due £200 and £400 heating bill help

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Off-grid energy users waiting on the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment have started to receive the one-off lump sum from the UK Government, according to consumer expert, Martin Lewis.During the latest edition of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on STV, the financial guru told viewers that the “long-promised” payments started earlier this week and should be completed by the end of this month.

The one-off payment is aimed at helping ease the cost of soaring heating bills for around two million homes across Great Britain who do not use mains gas and includes those using oil, coal, LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and biomass.Martin explained that payments started being made on Monday, February 6 automatically through household electricity suppliers.

However he said that households fully off grid, who do not have an electricity connection, will need to apply for the £200 later this month - but couldn’t offer any more details on it at this time.The founder of MoneySavingExpert.com also said that people on prepayment will receive vouchers to redeem.He explained that the UK Government will send them out by email, post or by text message with more information about it.Martin also warned: “I have to say I’m suspicious that some people may not get this because they [UK Government] don’t have the details of who is on heating oil or LPG.”However, he added: “When we get to the end of February, if you haven’t got it, let me know and I will try and do something more on it and I’ll talk to you more about it at the time.”Martin also shared the latest update for people living in park homes and those who do not pay directly for their domestic energy supply.Martin said: “You can apply for the £400 from the 27th of February online and by phone,