Help with Heating Oil Costs

Kent County Council is offering support through its Crisis and Resilience Fund to low‑income households who rely on heating oil and are facing an immediate heating crisis. 

This is targeted, emergency funding for households who:

• depend on heating oil as their main source of heating

• are close to running out of oil

• cannot afford the minimum delivery volume needed to keep their home heated.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for support, you must:

• be aged 16 or over

• be a resident of Kent and permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (excluding Medway, Bexley and Bromley)

• be in receipt of means tested benefits or your annual household income is £33,000 or less

• use heating oil as your main source of heating and/or hot water

• have 150 litres of heating oil or less remaining

• be unable to afford the minimum order required for a heating oil delivery.

What evidence will I need to provide

• proof of financial circumstances, such as bank statements from the last 3 months; payslips from the last 3 months; or evidence of benefits received

• proof of identity and address, such as: driving licence, National Insurance number and a bank statement; or a Council Tax bill or utility bill

• proof of heating oil use, such as a recent invoice/delivery receipt; bank statement showing payment to a heating oil supplier or tenancy agreement confirming oil-based heating

• proof of current tank level, for example a photo of the tank gauge.

What could I receive

If you meet the eligibility and evidence requirements you may receive an award of £300. This is designed to contribute towards the rising cost of heating oil rather than cover the full cost of supply.

How can I apply

How you apply depends upon which area of Kent you live in;

·       Maidstone – you need to apply through the Borough Council for support. You can apply on the council website or email energy@maidstone.gov.uk

·       Tunbridge Wells, and Tonbridge and Malling – you need to apply through Citizen’s Advice Bureau’s Kent Money Advice Hub website or email oil@nwkent.cab.org.uk or call 0300 304 8003.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible or require support with applying, please contact PWCAC.

PWCAC is OPEN for face-to-face advice (appointments and drop-ins) Monday to Friday, 9:30 – 1:30. If you need advice about welfare benefits, housing and homelessness, money guidance, relationship breakdown, consumer issues or anything else, get in touch:

info@pwadvice.org | 01892 838619    94 Commercial Road, Paddock Wood, TN12 6DP