The Department for Communities (DfC) has confirmed that applications for the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme will open on 9 September 2026 and remain open until 31 March 2027.
Around 340,000 households across Northern Ireland could be eligible for the one-off £100 voucher, with the £36.4 million scheme funded through £17.2 million from the UK Government and a further £19.2 million from the Northern Ireland Executive.
For heating oil distributors, one of the key considerations will be how customers use the payment.
The voucher will operate as a digital prepaid Mastercard restricted to the purchase of home heating oil. Customers will be able to use it online for purchases of up to £100. Where an oil order costs more than £100, however, customers may need to place the order by telephone so the voucher can be used alongside another payment method to cover the remaining balance.
DfC has therefore advised that oil suppliers may experience a noticeable increase in telephone orders during the initial weeks of the scheme.
Support welcomed by NI oil sector
David Blevings, director of the NI Oil Federation, welcomed the announcement: “We welcome the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme as this will assist consumers in reducing their oil bills as we go into the winter months.
“While the oil price has fallen back from the initial spike, the situation is still volatile, and this assistance will be greatly appreciated by those who qualify for this support.”
Who is eligible for the heating oil voucher?
The scheme is open to households that use home heating oil as their main source of heating and are resident in Northern Ireland.
Eligible households must also, in one of the qualifying months of April or November, either receive a qualifying income-related or disability benefit, or be a single person or couple – including pensioners – with an annual income below £30,000 after allowable deductions. Only one voucher will be issued per eligible residential address.
Qualifying benefits include Pension Credit, Universal Credit and Income Related Employment and Support Allowance, as well as a range of disability benefits including Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Attendance Allowance.
The £100 voucher will not be issued automatically. Eligible households must apply for the scheme and successful applicants must activate their voucher before it can be redeemed with an oil supplier.
Applying for support
Launching the scheme, Minister Lyons said: “I am making this advance announcement to help eligible people get ready to make their application.
“I would encourage anyone who may be eligible, or those assisting them, to review the eligibility criteria online and ensure they are ready to submit an application when the scheme opens.”
Applications must be made online through the nidirect website. Those needing assistance can contact the dedicated Home Heating Oil Support Scheme helpline on 0800 072 0266 from 9 September or seek help through Jobs & Benefits offices across Northern Ireland.
Applicants will also be directed to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s Oil Savings Network and the Consumer Council’s Home Heating Oil Price Checker to help them make the best use of their voucher.
For full details of the scheme and eligibility criteria, visit NI Oil Support Scheme.
The image, provided by DfC, shows (l-r) Raymond Gormley, Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, Fiona Magee, Advice NI, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Nicole Lappin, Chair NIHE and David Blevings, Northern Ireland Oil Federation