Help for households using heating oil

What is the Scottish Government’s Emergency Heating Oil Scheme?

The Scottish Government’s Emergency Heating Oil Scheme provides £300 of support for those struggling with the cost of domestic heating oil and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). It is administered by Advice Direct Scotland. Payments will be made directly to suppliers, where possible, to help qualifying households to place an order.

The fund, which initially opened for six months from April 2026, has been extended into winter. There is no fixed date for how long the extension will last and it will be kept under review. Eligible people are advised to apply as soon as possible.

Who is eligible for the Emergency Heating Oil Scheme?

You can apply if all the following apply to you:

• your home is heated by oil or LPG
• you pay the fuel bill for your home
• the home is your main or only home
• you’ve bought fuel on or after Wednesday 1 April 2026 or you are about to place an order; and
• no-one at your address has had an award in the last three months.

How to apply

You can apply through Advice Direct Scotland online at homeheatingadvice.scot or by calling 0800 048 7413.

You’ll likely need to provide some evidence as part of your application. Full details are available online at homeheatingadvice.scot. Advice Direct Scotland expects phone lines to be extremely busy and recommend applying online as the quickest way to process your application.

Advice Direct Scotland has answered commonly asked questions on its website.