Support to pay for heating oil
Our Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) is offering support 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.
The purpose of the scheme is to provide short‑term financial assistance in crisis situations.
Who can apply
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 have a total household income of £33,000 or less per year
- use heating oil as your main source of heating and/or hot water
- have 150 litres of heating oil or less remaining (priority will be given to households with under 100 litres)
- be unable to afford the minimum order required for a heating oil delivery.
You will need to provide:
- proof of financial circumstances, such as:
- bank statements from the last 3 months
- payslips from the last 3 months
- evidence of benefits received
- proof of identity and address, such as:
- National Insurance number and a bank statement
- Council Tax bill or utility bill
- proof of heating oil use, such as:
- a recent invoice or delivery receipt
- bank statement showing payment to a heating oil supplier
- tenancy agreement confirming oil based heating
- proof of current tank level, for example a photo of the tank gauge.
What we can offer
If you meet the eligibility and evidence requirements you will receive an award of £300. As per government guidance, this is designed to contribute towards the rising cost of heating oil rather than cover the full cost of supply.
Apply
If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria outlined above, you can make an application to receive support.
Support is delivered locally. How you apply depends on where you live in Kent. To check who your local district council is use the postcode checker.
Contact your district or borough council for information on how to access the heating oil scheme in your area:
Contact the Citizen's Advice Bureau's Kent Advice Hub if you live in:
- Dartford
- Gravesham
- Sevenoaks
- Swale
- Tonbridge and Malling
- Tunbridge Wells.
Email oil@nwkent.cab.org.uk or call 0300 304 8003.
Other places to get help
Visit our cost of living support pages to:
- check if you are eligible for any benefits
- get advice about how to reduce energy use and who to contact for help paying bills
- use our help and support finder to find help available with food, Council Tax, clothing, childcare and much more.
Families eligible for Free School Meals can get free activities and food through the Holiday Activities and Food Programme during school holidays.
Visit the Government's cost of living hub for further support and information.