The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update following a change in eligibility for the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Payments are being increased from £140 to £150 this year, and the DWP pays the money directly to energy suppliers. This is then taken off the total someone pays for their electricity bills.
The additional help with heating bills will be a welcome relief to eligible households following the announcement that the UK Government’s £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee will end in April and not in 2024 as originally planned. However, the £400 energy rebate will continue until March, providing discounts of £66/£67 on electricity bills this winter.
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However, changes to the Warm House Discount mean that not everyone will receive the support automatically, reports the Daily Record.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy confirmed on Thursday that letters of automatic participation in the scheme will only be sent out to eligible households who are in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, while low-income households will need to check if they qualify directly with their energy supplier.
Energy Minister Graham Stuart MP, said: “From this winter, the Government will reform the Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales. The Government is writing to households who are eligible to receive a rebate automatically, as well as households who need to call a helpline to determine if they are eligible.
“There will be an online eligibility checker to help people understand if they may be eligible, and the Government is sharing information on the new scheme with energy suppliers and charities."
What is the Warm Home Discount scheme?
The Warm Home Discount was introduced by the UK Government in 2011 to help eligible customers in England, Scotland and Wales with their energy bills during the winter.
It’s there to provide support for those living on low incomes or people of State Pension age.
While the UK Government and Ofgem, the energy regulator, make decisions on which households qualify and how much you will get, energy suppliers including British Gas, EDF, Scottish Power, SSE, E.on, Octopus, Shell and Utilita, fund it.
The guidance on GOV.UK states that the scheme officially opens in November, which means the participating list of suppliers has not been updated yet. However, most providers will have a dedicated page on their website offering updates on when they will be making payments this winter.
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