Northern Ireland launches £100 heating oil support scheme

Northern Ireland’s Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, has announced that applications for the £100 Home Heating Oil Support Scheme will open on September 9, 2026. The scheme is scheduled to remain open until March 31, 2027.

Approximately 340,000 households across Northern Ireland may be eligible for the one-off £100 voucher. To qualify, households must use heating oil as their primary heat source and meet specific income criteria, such as receiving qualifying income-related or disability benefits, or having an annual income of less than £30,000 for individuals or couples after allowable deductions.

The £36.4 million program is funded by £17.2 million from the UK Government and £19.2 million from the Northern Ireland Executive. The support will be distributed via digital prepaid Mastercards restricted to heating oil purchases. While vouchers can be used for online purchases up to £100, the Department for Communities advises that customers may need to place orders by telephone if the total cost exceeds the voucher amount to combine it with other payment methods.

David Blevings, director of the NI Oil Federation, welcomed the initiative, noting that while oil prices have retreated from previous peaks, the market remains volatile and the assistance will help consumers manage costs heading into the winter months.