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Publication

Electricity Costs
Emergency Benefit
Scheme II

From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on 17 December 2025
Last updated on 29 December 2025



On 27 September the Government approved the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme II, paving the way for three payments of €183.49 (excl. VAT) to be credited to all domestic electricity accounts. This is in recognition of pressures on households due to the exceptional rise in energy prices. Three payments of the Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Payment will be made, in the November/December 2025, January/February and March/April 2026 billing cycles.

The credit will be applied directly to your bank account. Households need only apply for it once. They do not need to contact their electricity supplier.

The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will be charged with oversight of the scheme. The scheme will be operated by the Distribution System Operator (ESB Networks) because of its existing interface with all electricity suppliers. ESB Networks will make payments to energy suppliers direclty to your bank, who in turn will credit each of their domestic electricity accounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I sign up?
  • Click Verify now below, the scheme is automatic and applies to all domestic electricity accounts either as a bill credit or as a top-up on your prepay meter.

  • Who is eligible?
  • The scheme applies to all domestic electricity accounts, held with suppliers on 27 October 2025, in respect of the first payment, 20 December 2025 in respect of the second payment, and on 27 February 2026 in respect of the third payment. The payments will be applied automatically. This is a measure which uses the single eligibility criterion of a meter point registration number (MPRN), to ensure payments to each domestic electricity account are made as soon as possible, Verify your information now.
Verify Now

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