On heating oil or LPG but not got your £200 payment yet? You can now apply

If you've not got the payment, but think you're eligible, you can now apply to get it - the deadline is 31 May

Most of the major energy suppliers have told us the £200 payment was made automatically in February to those identified as eligible by the Government.

If you think you're eligible and have an electricity supplier, first check your bank or energy account if you pay by direct debt, on receipt of a bill or have a smart prepayment. If you're on a traditional prepayment meter, vouchers should have been sent by text, email or post.

If you've not got it, or you have heating fuel and you're completely off-grid (so you don't have an electricity supplier), you can now apply to get the £200 payment via an online portal on the Gov.uk website, which launched on 6 March, For those without online access, you can call 0808 175 3287 (0808 175 3894 in Northern Ireland), 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

You'll need to provide the following when you apply:

• an email address
• phone number (if you have one)
• bank account details (for the payment to be made into)
• proof of purchase of alternative fuels since September 2022 (for example, a delivery note or receipt) totalling at least £200. You can upload a maximum of 10 (this was increased from two) documents in your application. Your proof of purchase must include:
  - your address
  - the type of fuel purchased
  - date of purchase
  - name and address of fuel supplier
  - total amount spent

• If you're not registered for council tax, you'll also need to provide proof of address, such as a bank statement or tenancy agreement. 

You must apply by 31 May. 

Energy secretary tweaks application requirements after appearing on Martin's show

Many have reported issues regarding the number of receipts you can upload as part of your application, or what you can do if you don't have a proof of purchase. For example, houseboat dwellers will buy small amounts of heating fuel on a more regular basis, as they've nowhere to store large volumes of fuel. Therefore they will likely need to submit more than two receipts to prove £200 has been spent. Others have told us they buy fuel as part of a weekly grocery shop and don't keep the receipts. Similarly, we've heard of those who bulk buy fuel in advance for the year and don't have a proof of purchase since September 2022.

Energy secretary, Grant Shapps appeared on The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on 7 March, saying he will look into the issues regarding receipts. On Wednesday 8 March, the energy secretary announced the number of receipts you can submit has increased from two to 10. However, the Government has confirmed that they will no change to allow receipts dated before September 2022. The Government has told us that those who purchased alternative fuel before September 2022, have adequate time to buy more and obtain proof of purchase to be able to apply before the scheme closes on 31 May 2023.

We'll update this story if anything changes.