What is the warm home discount scheme? Eligibility and how to apply
Plus, what to do if you live in Scotland
MILLIONS of households can get a one-off £150 discount on their energy bills through a Government scheme.
The Warm Home Discount is applied every winter between October and the following March.
It is paid to those on the lowest incomes and designed to cover the additional costs of heating over the colder months.
Households in England and Wales don't have to apply to get the cash and receive it automatically.
However, some Scottish households do have to apply for the discount.
What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is an automatic £150 discount off energy bills, and payments began in October last year.
Because the money is a discount, there is no money paid to you. Instead, it is a one-off discount.
You'll also have to be in receipt of one of the following benefits to qualify for one of the payments:
- Income support
- Income based jobseeker's allowance
- Income related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- Pension credit guaranteed
- Pension credit savings credit
If you weren't claiming any of the above benefits on August 13, 2022, you won't be eligible for the payment.
However, if you later launch a successful claim for backdated benefits, you may still be able to qualify after this date.
Where someone claims a qualifying benefit, the Government will assess their energy costs based on the type, age and size of property.
You may not be considered eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you live in a more energy-efficient property for instance, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.
This rule doesn't apply to recipients of the guarantee credit portion of Pension Credit.
But you can challenge it by getting in touch with the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322.
How do I apply for the discount?
People living in England and Wales don't need to apply for the Warm Home Discount.
You get the payment automatically if your electricity supplier is part of the scheme and you qualify.
Though energy regulator Ofgem says some people may be asked to contact a Government helpline to confirm their eligibility.
The money is paid to you directly as a credit to your electricity account.
How do I secure the discount in Scotland?
The Scottish Government has refused to renew their Warm Home Discount scheme in-line with England and Wales' new application-free scheme.
Households in Scotland will have to follow the rules set out in the legacy scheme.
This means they'll likely still be a "core group" that'll receive an automatic payment and a "broader group" who'll have to apply for the scheme with their energy provider.