Oil price rises: what to do?

Oil price rises: what to do?

11 MARCH 2026 14:15

Oil price rises: what to do?

UPDATE : 31 March 2026

Welsh Government has announced £200 payment for people who are on a low income, in receipt of Council Tax Reduction, and use oil or LPG to heat their homes.  Local authorities will contact eligible households directly and invite them to apply. People will need to confirm their heating fuel type and provide bank details, with payments made directly into bank accounts. There are six months from the scheme's launch to claim.

People in severe financial hardship who do not qualify can apply to the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) – as ever, contact us for support – full details here.

UPDATE : 20 March 2026

A policy win!

Following our work, with the civil servants responsible for the Discretionary Assistance Fund policy, on behalf of clients and communities who are on LPG – who face the same financial pressures as those on oil but whose needs had not been recognised in the Welsh Government’s support measures - we were delighted to have confirmed that they too would be entitled to support from the DAF on a par with those on oil.  

UPDATE : 19 March 2026

This week, the UK Government announced additional finance for households affected by the escalating cost of heating oil caused by the war in the Middle East The Welsh Government has confirmed it will use the £3.8 million allocation to Wales to increase support to people in financial crisis who use 'off-grid' fuel by:

  • temporarily uplifting the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) limit from £500 to £750 per award for heating oil while prices are inflated. The number of payments will be increased from one to two in a rolling twelve-month period with a minimum of three months between them.
  • increasing its funding to the Fuel Bank Foundation so that it can increase its support for people in fuel crisis in Wales: providing fuel vouchers for deliveries of oil or gas for those not connected to the mains gas network, and supporting households that pre-pay for their fuel and are at risk of disconnection. 

CAB Ceredigion's role

We are Approved Partners to these Schemes which means we can advise on people's eligibility and submit applications on their behalf. The schemes are open to anyone who is experiencing financial difficulty and struggling with the cost of heating oil. We will need to confirm a person's eligibility, proof of identification and income. So, if you’re struggling, get in touch with us. If you know or are working with someone who’s struggling, refer them to us. Our Advisers may identify other sources of help and support as well. Full details on how to get in touch with us:

UPDATE : 28 February 2026

The background

The dramatic increase in oil and fuel prices is becoming a huge concern for all of us in Ceredigion and North Pembrokeshire. Three quarters of local households are ‘off-gas’ and most reliant on oil for heating, cooking and washing. Nor can any of us escape reliance on oil derivatives, petrol and diesel, for getting out and about and/or receiving goods and services to our homes. Unlike gas and electricity customers, we have no industry regulator to control oil/LPG prices or to protect us from poor industry practices.

For many of the people and communities we help at CAB Ceredigion Citizens Advice, these ‘post-war’ oil prices combined with suppliers’ minimum delivery requirements are pushing the cost of heating and cooking far beyond financial reach.

Sources of help

There is financial assistance available – grants of up to £500 oil - that we can help you access. Applications are open to anyone who is experiencing financial difficulty and struggling with the cost of heating oil. You will need an appointment with one of our dedicated advisers to confirm your eligibility, proof of identification and income. They can then make the application on your behalf. So, if you’re struggling, get in touch with us. If you’re working with someone who’s struggling, refer them to us. Full details as to how to get in touch:

There are other ways you can consider saving money on oil including: joining your local oil club/syndicate, discussing any discounts available with your current supplier, and considering using online oil buying websites, that may offer cheaper bills. You can find out more:

For the future

We, in partnership with national charity, Citizens Advice, are involved in promoting better policies and campaigning for change on behalf of our clients. Already, we are urging Governments to incorporate better protection for oil/LPG customers through scheme such as the Warm Home Discount. In Wales, Citizens Advice is conducting more detailed research into the issues people living in fuel poverty in rural areas face - including those reliant on oil to heat their homes. That research, based on our clients' and communities' lived experience, will be used to develop a clear policy and campaigns position on rural fuel poverty and what needs to change. If you want to know more about our policy and campaigns work, get in touch with Juliet.morris@cabceredigion.org.

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