Northern Ireland's Home Heating Oil Support Scheme has entered its second qualifying period, 1 to 30 November 2026. If you have recently moved into an oil-heated home, this is a useful point to check the conditions and make sure your application uses the right address.

What support is available?

The Department for Communities scheme overview describes £100 of help with heating oil, provided through a digital pre-paid card for use with Northern Ireland oil suppliers. This is an existing scheme, not a new payment announced this week. Applications opened on 9 September 2026 and close on 31 March 2027.

The scheme covers eligible people whose sole or main home is in Northern Ireland and who use oil as their main heating source. There is a qualifying-benefit route and an income route for a single person or couple with annual income below £30,000 after allowable deductions. It is not a payment for every household moving home.

Check the qualifying period before applying

The nidirect application guidance says you need to meet the relevant residence and benefit or income conditions for at least one day in either April or November 2026. You do not need to qualify in both months. Check the full benefit list and exclusions, including the rules for time spent in hospital, care or supported housing.

Awards are not automatic: an application is required. Have your National Insurance number, contact details and relevant income information ready. Further evidence of your main address, heating fuel or income may be requested. Use the official application link in the guidance.

A move does not create a second award

Only one card is allowed per eligible residential address. The department's moving-home FAQs distinguish between two situations:

  • You have already received a card: moving to another home does not entitle you to a further award.
  • The previous household claimed at your new address: if your application is refused for that reason and you disagree, request an internal review within 28 days of the refusal notification. Follow the contact instructions in the FAQs and explain the move. A review is not a promise of payment.

The department also warns that a recent change of address can cause a mismatch with benefit records. If this leads to a refusal, contact the scheme team to request a review. Keep your decision and supporting records together.

Keep the new home's fuel budget separate

Record address updates in your change-of-address checklist, keeping track of which organisations have confirmed the change. The checklist does not notify them for you.

Use your own delivery quotes in the new home running-cost budget. Keep any unconfirmed support separate from the money already available for your first oil order. Check the tank level and delivery arrangements at handover so the household budget also reflects when you expect to need fuel.