If you rely on heating oil to keep your home warm, you may be able to access financial support if you're struggling with the cost of filling your tank from your local council.
Following increases in heating oil prices during 2026, the UK Government introduced additional support for vulnerable and low-income households that use heating oil.
The support available differs depending on where you live, so we've put together a simple guide to what is available and where to find more information.
In England, £27 million of additional funding has been allocated to help vulnerable and low-income households affected by increases in heating oil prices.
The funding is being distributed through local authorities as part of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which began on 1 April 2026.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund can be used to provide support with essential costs, including domestic heating. Government guidance specifically allows councils to provide crisis payments to households experiencing immediate financial hardship because of significant increases in heating oil prices.
However, there isn't one national application process. Each local authority is responsible for deciding how its scheme operates, which means:
If you think you may be eligible, visit your local council's website and search for Crisis and Resilience Fund, heating oil support or cost of living support.
You can find your local council at: www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Citizens Advice can also provide independent guidance if you're unsure what financial support may be available to you.
Households in Scotland may be able to access support through the Emergency Heating Oil Scheme, administered by Advice Direct Scotland.
The scheme provides £300 of support towards heating costs for eligible households using heating oil or LPG.
It is primarily aimed at low-income and vulnerable households affected by higher heating costs. Where possible, payments are made directly to the household's heating fuel supplier to help them place an order.
Further information about eligibility and applications is available through Home Heating Advice Scotland: www.homeheatingadvice.scot
In Wales, households experiencing financial hardship may be able to receive support through the Discretionary Assistance Fund DAF.
The fund is designed to provide emergency assistance to people experiencing unexpected financial difficulties and can help with essential living costs.
You may be able to apply if, for example, you are experiencing extreme financial hardship, have recently lost your job or are waiting for your first benefit payment.
More information about the Discretionary Assistance Fund and how to apply is available at: www.gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf
Citizens Advice Cymru can also provide guidance on the support available.
If the cost of your next heating oil delivery is a concern, it's worth checking what support is available before allowing your tank to run completely empty.
As well as checking government and local authority schemes, there are a few practical steps that may help.
Knowing how much oil you have left gives you more time to consider your options rather than having to arrange an urgent delivery.
If you're unsure how quickly you're likely to use the oil in your tank, our Heating Oil Usage Calculator can help you estimate your annual consumption and typical monthly heating oil costs.
Rix Petroleum also offers Heating Oil Payment Plans, which can help make budgeting for future deliveries more manageable by spreading your heating oil costs throughout the year.
Our Budget Account allows eligible customers to build up credit and access additional funds towards a delivery, subject to a credit check.
Alternatively, our Pre-Payment Plan allows you to build up money towards your next order without a credit check.
These aren't replacements for government financial assistance, but they can provide another way of managing your heating oil costs throughout the year.
Unfortunately, periods when new financial support is announced can also provide opportunities for scammers. Be cautious if somebody unexpectedly contacts you claiming to offer a heating oil grant or government payment. Official organisations administering support schemes should not unexpectedly contact you asking for bank details or payment information.
If you're unsure whether an offer of support is genuine, don't provide any personal or financial information. Instead, contact your local council or the relevant organisation directly using contact details from its official website.
We understand that managing household heating costs isn't always easy, particularly when wholesale oil markets are changing.
If your heating oil level is getting low, contact your local Rix Petroleum depot and our team can talk you through the delivery and payment options available to you.
For financial assistance, always check the latest eligibility criteria directly with your local authority or the relevant government-backed support scheme, as the support available can change.
Find your local council: www.gov.uk/find-local-council
Citizens Advice: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Scotland - Home Heating Advice: www.homeheatingadvice.scot
Wales - Discretionary Assistance Fund: www.gov.wales/discretionary-assistance-fund-daf
Information correct at the time of publication. Eligibility and availability of government and local authority support may change. Rix Petroleum does not administer these schemes.
