Households to receive £63 Cost of Living Support: Archibald
Date published:
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has today confirmed that around 860,000 households will receive a £63 discount off electricity bills, from 6 October.
The Household Electricity Discount will be applied automatically by electricity suppliers. The Scheme is not means tested or based on consumption and applies to both households that receive electricity bills, and those who use pre-pay/keypad.
Announcing the discount scheme, Minister Archibald said: “This discount will provide some help for families as winter kicks in and energy bills rise.”
Earlier this year, Minister Archibald announced that she had secured agreement from Treasury to deliver annual electricity discounts of around £30 to households for three years, comparable to support being delivered in Britain.
Following the announcement of a temporary six month VAT reduction on domestic electricity supplies in Britain, the Minister negotiated for additional funding to deliver a combined and enhanced single payment in 2026 worth £63.
The Minister continued: “This £63 discount delivers support to households through a single automatic discount. No forms, no applications and no action is required.
“Some people may feel they don’t need this financial support. If so, I would encourage those people to donate to a fuel poverty charity. Your support could make a real difference to someone who needs it most.”
The Household Electricity Discount Scheme will continue in 2027 and 2028, with the value of future discounts confirmed ahead of payment.
Notes to editors:
1. Further information, is available on NI Direct at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/help-your-electricity-bill
2. Bill-paying customers will see the discount applied directly to their electricity account and it will appear on their bill as: NIRO & VAT Govt Credit.
3. Pre-pay/keypad customers will receive the discount automatically at their meter, when they top up.
4. In June 2026, Treasury approved £85.4 million of funding for 75% of the domestic cost of the Northern Ireland Renewable Obligation (NIRO) over three years. A further £25.7 million has been secured to provide additional support in 2026/27, equivalent to the temporary six months reduction in VAT on domestic electricity bills being provided in Britain. The Household Electricity Discount Scheme provides a combined single payment for this year. The total funding this year is estimated to be £53m.
5. The Scheme applies to both bill-paying and pre-pay/keypad customers. Electricity suppliers will apply the discount automatically to eligible domestic electricity accounts. Households who pay by bill will see the amount credited to their account, while pre-pay/keypad customers will receive their support through the normal top-up process.
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