government electricity costs emergency benefit scheme

The Government has approved the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme IV The Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Act 2024 has been signed into legislation, paving the way for two payments of €125.00 (including VAT) to be credited to all domestic electricity accounts. This is in recognition of pressures on households due to the exceptional rise in energy prices. Two payments of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment credits to domestic electricity accounts under the Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Act 2024 are expected to be made, with one expected before Christmas and one after. The FAQs below are from Scheme III and will be updated following approval of the relevant legislation. The FAQs regarding the Electricity Costs (Emergency Measures) Domestic Accounts Act 2024 can be found below, and may be updated as the Act progresses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible?

Do I need to sign up to receive the credits?

Who should I contact if I don’t receive the credit, and when?

I did not receive the credits as my MPRN was a low-usage electricity account, can I still receive the credit?

How the Scheme Works

When will I receive the payment?

How will the credit be applied to my account?

My account is currently paid up to date or in credit – how can I access the government credit?

I have a prepay meter, will I still be eligible to receive the credit?

Is the scheme means tested?

I received a text message about my accessing my credit, is it legitimate?

How does the scheme operate? Does it have an expiry date?

Who the Scheme Covers

How will I know whether my MPRN is not a low usage electricity account, and therefore automatically eligible to receive the credits?

What is a registered vulnerable customer, and how do I sign up?

I have a low-usage account because I am very careful with my energy use due to financial concerns, can I receive the credit?

What is a hardship meter? How do I know if I have one?

I have a prepay meter, will I still be eligible to receive the credit?

My electricity bill is included in my rent, will I still get the credit?

Will people with multiple residences, for example holiday homes, be eligible?

I have microgeneration installed and am exporting energy. Will I still receive the credits?

I have a sub-metered account (there is no unique Meter Point Registration Number for my account). Will I receive the credits?

Using the credit

Why did I receive less than €125 credit?

Can the credit be used to re-connect electricity supply?

Can the credit be used to pay off debt?

Can the credit be used to pay off my gas debt?

Will people with multiple residences, for example holiday homes, be eligible?

Moving Supplier or Property

What if I switch electricity supplier, will I still get the credit?

If there is a change in account holder, will I still get the credit?

My supplier has carried out a backdated move-in when opening my energy account, will I receive the credit?

If I switch supplier, will I receive the credit twice?

I have moved into a property that previously had low usage. Will I get the credit?

Seeking Further Support

What if I have contacted my supplier and still need help?

How do I complain about not getting the credit?

Billing

Find out more about billing

Learn More

A woman is sat at a kitchen table reading her bills.

Government Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme