This is a government initiative to support households from the impact of recent increases in energy prices. This credit is due to be available to households in 2022.

Energia are working with the ESB Networks and the relevant government departments & agencies to prepare for applying the credit to customer accounts. We will update this page with the latest information once it becomes available.

What do I have to do to make sure I receive this payment?

The simple answer is nothing! You do not need to apply for this once-off credit, it will be automatically applied to your bill.

Who is eligible to receive this payment and how much is it?

All domestic electricity accounts who are registered to an electricity supplier in the Republic of Ireland are eligible for this payment. The credit is applied to your bill before VAT as €176.22.

When will the credit be applied to my account?

The credit will be applied to domestic electricity accounts between 1 April 2022 and 30 June 2022.

How will the credit be applied to my account?

The credit will be automatically applied to your account, as a credit on your bill. If your first billable amount after the credit is applied to your account is lower than the value of the credit, the credit will remain on your account and pass onto your following bill(s).

How will I know when I have received my credit?

We will update this page on our website when we start to apply the credit. The credit is applied to your bill before VAT as €176.22.

Once the credit is applied, it will show as a credit line item on page 2 of your bill, under “This period’s transactions.” 

 You will also see a bill line message confirming the credit has been added to your bill.

If I am a Prepay Meter customer, am I still eligible for the credit?

Yes, it applies to all domestic electricity accounts, including pay as you go customers. We will notify you directly to explain how you can receive the credit.

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

For operational reasons the scheme can only credit the domestic electricity account holder. The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications advise as follows:

‘The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is working with the  Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to publicise and increase awareness of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme to ensure those in rented accommodation who hold the electricity account receive benefit from the payment. In the event that a dispute should arise, there are existing dispute resolution mechanisms provided by the RTB to landlords and tenants. The RTB encourages parties to engage with its mediation service where agreements are reached in over 70% of cases.’

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

The scheme will apply to every domestic electricity account holder. This means that holiday homes with a domestic electricity account in Ireland will be included in the scheme.

Is this scheme means tested?

No, it is not means tested.

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

Yes. The credit can be used towards the fee to re-connect a domestic electricity supply user (DG1 or DG2).

Can the credit be used to pay off debt?

Yes. The credit can be used to pay off debt that a domestic customer has on their electricity account.

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

If your first billable amount after the credit is applied to your account is lower than the value of the credit, the credit will remain on your account and pass onto your following bill(s).

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

Yes. If you switch electricity supplier between 29 March 2022 and 30 June 2022, it is the supplier you were with on 29 March 2022 that will be responsible for providing you with the credit. A supplier may apply the credit to your closing bill if applicable or credit you back via the same payment method you pay your bills.

If there is a change in account holder (i.e. if I move out), will I still get the credit?

It is the account holder registered to the supplier on the 29 March 2022 who is eligible to receive the credit.

I have a prepay meter, how will I know when I have received the credit?

Prepay customers will be notified by their supplier via an email / text message /or message on the top-up note to advise them that the credit has been applied to their account. Your supplier will issue you with a 40-digit code (or codes) when you vend to redeem the credit. For customers with Lifestyle or Smart prepay meters, the credit will be automatically applied to your top-up or vend after your supplier has activated the credit to your account. There is a small population of older prepayment meters which, due to their age and inbuilt monetary limits, will require the customer to redeem their credit over three separate transactions over the space of a few days.

You must redeem your full credit by 30 June 2022.

I pay by Level Pay, how will this impact my monthly payments?

As a Level Pay customer you spread the cost of your bills throughout the year, paying the same amount each month by direct debit. The amount you pay is reviewed at least once each year to ensure that the payments cover your bills. Your monthly payments will continue as normal after the credit is applied, but rest assured the credit will go towards your bills (reducing any account balance you may have).

As part of your account review, we will take the balance on your account into consideration and write to you if your direct debit is changing. The account review takes into consideration the unit rates, your usage and any credit or debit balance on your account.

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

It is the electricity supplier that you are registered with on 29 March 2022 that will be responsible for providing you with the credit. Customers will not be credited twice.

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

If you haven’t received your credit by 30 June 2022, please contact our Customer Care Contact Us form on our website here or call us on 0818 405 405 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)