British Gas customers have been warned that they will not be able to get help from the energy supplier if they are not awarded support through the Government's Warm Home Discount, which supports certain people on low incomes with their energy bills. The firm says it "can't help" people with applications or appeals as it is the Government who decides who qualifies, BirminghamLive reports.
Under the scheme, eligible customers get £150 take off their bills to help them keep their homes warm this winter. The one-off reduction us applied between October and March and targets vulnerable, low-income households and pensioners, who are likely to have the most difficulty paying for their gas and electricity.
The support is available to two groups - those on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and people who are "on a low income and have high energy costs". Due to the vagueness of the second category, it is expected that a large number of people will feel they should be eligible for the discount, considering themselves to match the criteria.
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However, the Government has said that people in England and Wales do not need to apply for the support and that those who are eligible will be contacted between November and mid-January. That means there are still a few weeks left in which households may be contacted.
Most people will need to be receiving means-tested benefits like Universal Credit or Housing Benefit to qualify, and their homes will also need to have a "high energy cost score". Full details from the Government can be found here.
British Gas has said the Government decides who qualifies for the support and if customers are rejected, it cannot help. It says on its website: "If you’re eligible for the payment on the qualifying date of August 21, 2022, you don’t need to apply for the Warm Home Discount this year, even if you applied in previous years.
"The Government will decide who is eligible and if you are will write to you between November 2022 and mid-January 2023. If you get turned down for the scheme, we can’t help you appeal because it’s decided by the Government. If you live in England and Wales and want to appeal a decision you’ll need to visit the Government’s dedicated Warm Home Discount website."
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