HEATING OIL SUPPORT

19 Mar 2026

Interim support for households relying on heating oil

Short-term emergency support is available for residents who rely on heating oil and are at risk of running out, ahead of new national funding due to launch later this year.

The temporary scheme will run until 31 March 2026 and is designed to help households who cannot afford the minimum cost of an oil delivery and are at immediate risk of losing the ability to heat their homes.

This follows the Government’s announcement on 16 March 2026 confirming additional national support for low income households using heating oil, which will be delivered through the new Crisis & Resilience Fund (CRF) from 1 April 2026.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is able to use remaining Household Support Fund (HSF) resources until the end of March, allowing WNC to offer this short term help during the transition to the new scheme.

Residents may be eligible if they:

• Live full time in West Northamptonshire

• Use heating oil as their main way of heating their home

• Have 150 litres or less, with priority given to households under 100 litres

• Cannot afford the minimum order required for a delivery

• Are at immediate risk of being unable to heat their home

This support is strictly for urgent situations and cannot be used to help with general cost of living pressures or long term affordability issues.

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Proof of oil heating, such as a recent invoice, bank payment to an oil supplier, EPC, or tenancy agreement

• Proof of current oil levels, including a dated photo of the tank gauge and tank size if shown as a percentage

• Financial information, such as bank statements from the last month, recent income details, and any savings

This information helps the council confirm that a household is unable to meet the cost of a minimum delivery. Eligible residents will receive a Post Office CashOut Voucher, which can be redeemed for cash at any Post Office branch using photo identification. The cash must then be used to contribute towards the cost of purchasing heating oil.

Residents are advised that the support will not cover the full cost of a delivery, but will act as a contribution towards the increased costs. To request an application form, residents should email: HSFA@westnorthants.gov.uk

From 1 April 2026, the Government’s new Crisis & Resilience Fund (CRF) will replace the Household Support Fund and will include dedicated assistance for households reliant on heating oil.