British Gas customers have been issued an urgent warning in relation to the Government's Warm Home Discount.
The power company has told customer they "cannot help them" if they have previously been refused the extra cash through the cost of living support scheme.
The scheme was introduced to help households reduces their energy bills but topping up payments. It means that eligible customers do not have to pay as much as they normally one. The payment is a one-off reduction of £150 applied between October and March, targeting vulnerable, low income families and pensioners who may struggle to pay their gas and electricity bills this winter.
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With the price of energy at an all time high and the cost of living crisis continuing, there are lots of people struggling to keep up with bills this year. And the Warm Home Discount will give some help to households in need.
Eligibility is quite loose, but some people automatically receive the benefit, reports Birmingham Live.
You qualify for the Warm Home Discount if on August 21, 2022 all of the following applied:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- your name (or your partner’s) is on the bill
- you or your partner are getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Credit as well)
This is known as being in the ‘core group’ in Scotland. Those in this group will receive a letter between November 2022 and January 2023.
Most eligible households will receive an automatic discount, but some may have to apply.
Those who do not receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit may still be able to apply.
All the following must apply:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- you (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits or tax credits
- your name (or your partner’s) is on the bill
DWP advises that your supplier may have additional criteria so you need to check with them if you’re eligible.
However, if an application has been refused, British Gas is warning customers that they will not be able to help.
British Gas said the Government decides who is successful for 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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