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Government Electricity Credit FAQs
PICTURE:
FEBRUARY 11 2022
Government Electricity Credit FAQs

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.

The first instalment has been applied to your account and you will see this reflected on your bill between now and 31 December 2022.
 

  • What is the Electricity Account Credit?

It was announced in Budget 2023  that domestic electricity customers will get an additional €600 credit (inclusive of VAT) to help reduce electricity bills in 3 instalments of €200, paid between November 2022 and March 2023. This is in addition to the credit householders received in April 2022.
 

  • How do I qualify?

All domestic electricity accounts who are registered to an electricity supplier in the Republic of Ireland on the ‘effective dates’ are eligible for this credit. The effective dates are 27 Oct 2022 / 20 Dec 2022 / 27 Feb 2023.

 

  • Do I need to call my supplier to get this credit?

No, the credit is automatic, you do not need to contact us. 

 

  • When will I get the credit?

The credit will be paid in 3 instalments of €200. The first payment will be made in November 2022. The second electricity credit will be made in January 2023. The third will be made in March 2023.

 

  • How will I know when I have received my credit?

Once the credit is applied, you will see a bill line message on page 1 and page 2 of your bill, under “This period’s transactions.”

 

  • Is the credit inclusive of VAT?

Yes, the credit is inclusive of VAT meaning you will receive €183.49 before VAT.

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

Suppliers will place further information on their websites with the exact dates the credit will
show on their customers Electricity Bills.
The date you receive your credit will depend on the date that your supplier normally sends you your bill. If you haven’t received your credit by 31 January 2023 for the purposes of the first payment period, 31 March 2023 for the purposes of the second payment period and 31 May for the third payment period, you should contact your electricity supplier in the first instance. You can find the contact details for your electricity supplier on your most recent bill or statement.
 
  • What if I am in the process of moving energy supplier?

You can still freely change your energy supplier. Credit will be applied to the account that is active on the effective date 27 Oct 2022 / 20 Dec 2022 / 27 Feb 2023. If credit is applied to an account, you are in the process of closing, your supplier will either apply this credit this to your closing bill or return the credit to you through the same payment method you pay your bills.

 

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

No. Each credit instalment will only be applied to the account active on the effective date. Customers will not receive an individual instalment twice.

 

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

The credit will be issued to the account holder registered to the electricity account on the effective date.
 

  • What if my account is in credit?

The credit will still be applied and remain on your account and pass onto your following bill(s).
 

  • I am signed up to Level Pay, how will this impact my monthly payments?

Your monthly payments will continue as normal. We automatically review Level Pay customers to ensure the monthly payment is correct. The review takes into account the balance on your account, unit rates, your usage and any credit or debit balance. We always contact with you directly by email/letter to advise if we are adjusting your monthly payment amount. See here for more about Level Pay.

 

  • 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.

 

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

Yes. For customers with Lifestyle or Smart prepay meters, the credit will be automatically applied to your top-up or vend. 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. We will contact you directly by email / text message / phone / letter /or message on the meter top-up note.

 

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

Credit will only be applied to the 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 Residentials 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?

Yes, the credit will be applied 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 electricity account credit means tested?

No, it is not means tested.