Unit 7-9 First Avenue, Drum Industrial Estate, Chester-le-Street. Co Durham. DH2 1AG
0191 303 8623
office@durhamcp.org.uk

Fuel Bank

Making a difference around County Durham & Sunderland

The Fuel Bank® scheme

Fuel Bank® is currently available in selected Foodbank locations across the UK, and provides a top up voucher for approximately two weeks’ worth of fuel to clients with a prepayment meter and who have been deemed as in ‘crisis need’ by an independent Foodbank referrer.

The scheme helps prevent self-disconnection (where a client cannot afford to top up their meter) and ensures people are not left without energy for the basics like cooking and heating.

Who can receive support from Fuel Bank®?

The Fuel Bank® was designed to use our existing Foodbank referral process, so eligibility requires a valid Foodbank Voucher for a Fuel Bank® location.

To receive support, you need to:

  • Be a Foodbank client who has been referred by a third party such as a GP, Social Worker, Citizens Advice (and other agencies) because you are in crisis need for food. You can’t receive a fuel voucher if you don’t need food as well.
  • If you present the food voucher to your nearest Foodbank and it is part of the Fuel Bank®scheme, you have a prepayment meter and no debt on your meter, you may be eligible for a fuel voucher as well as a food parcel. If you are, an application would be filled in for you.