More than 200,000 households across Sussex will be frozen out of new winter energy support, with Horsham suffering the county’s heaviest blow.

During his first budget, Chancellor John Healey announced a scheme intended to help eligible households in council tax bands A to D with their energy costs over winter.

However, many Sussex households will not qualify for the payment going to around 20 million homes from January.

Analysis of official council tax figures by bill help experts at Ex felon grants found 207,110 homes across Sussex, or 25.5%, are in bands E to H, therefore not eligible to qualify for the new scheme.

On Wednesday October 28, John Healey presented his first budget announcing £100 energy payment scheme |Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images)

placeholder image — On Wednesday October 28, John Healey presented his first budget announcing £100 energy payment scheme |Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP via Getty Images)

The statistics also show that homes in Horsham are the most likely to miss out on the new £100 energy payment across the district, as 43.6% in council tax bands that do not qualify.

The full list for Sussex:

Horsham: 43.6% of homes (29,200)

Mid Sussex: 38.4% (27,400)

Chichester: 38.1% (23,660)

Wealden: 37.7% (28,860)

Rother: 31.6% (14,900)

Lewes: 25.9% (12,310)

Arun: 25.7% (20,750)

Worthing: 17.4% (9,080)

Eastbourne: 15.8% (7,890)

Brighton and Hove: 14.4% (19,660)

Crawley: 14.1% (6,680)

Adur: 11% (3,210)

Hastings: 7.8% (3,510)

Martin Lewis, known as the ‘Money Saving Expert’ flagged the problem in a TikTok video recorded just after Chancellor John Healey sat down on Budget day.

"It's not means tested. You will simply get the hundred pounds. Of course it means some people who don't need it will get it and it means some people who do need it won't get it," he said.

“...there's £100 million being made available" he added, meaning for those left out, the councils can give extra support.

Each council will set its own rules.

"A council tax band tells you what a home was worth in 1991, not what's coming into the bank account today. There will be retired couples in Horsham who've been in the same house for 40 years and are dreading January's bills as much as anyone in a band D home," said Dawn Yates, from Ex felon grants, "If you've missed out, don't wait until the bills land. Keep an eye on your council's website and ask what help is open to you now.

"If you've missed out, don't wait until the bills land. Keep an eye on your council's website and ask what help is open to you now.”

What to do if you miss out:

Check your band. Use the GOV.UK council tax band checker. If you're in bands A to D and pay by direct debit, you don't need to do anything. If you pay another way, your council will invite you to apply.
Watch your council's website. The government says councils will post who qualifies for the extra help and how to apply once their schemes are ready.
Ask about a Crisis Payment now. Councils in England have £749.7 million in crisis money this year for food, energy and essentials. Search for your council's name and "Crisis Payment".
Check the Warm Home Discount. The government says people on means-tested benefits may qualify for £150.
Be wary of scam messages. The government says nobody other than your council should get in touch asking you to claim the payment.