A warning has been issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for those who are eligible to the Warm Home Discount scheme.
The DWP has urged people to make their claim for the scheme before the closing date of Friday, November 18. The discount is aimed towards those on certain benefits, and those who are low-income and meet their own energy suppliers eligibility criteria.
People can get £150 off their electricity bill for winter this year under the Warm Home Discount scheme, which is a one-off payment designed to help people who are struggling for cash. The money is paid to your energy supplier, between the months of October 2022 and March 2023.
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You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.
So who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount? Find out more below.
Eligibility Criteria
If you live in Scotland, you qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the ‘core group’
- are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme - known as the ‘broader group’
How you apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depends on how you qualify for the discount.
Those on the following means-tested benefits also qualify for the discount:
- Housing Benefit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- the ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
How do I apply for the Warm Home Discount?
Those on Pension Credit
You qualify for the discount if on 21 August 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. The scheme opens on November 14 2022. You’ll receive a letter between November 2022 and January 2023 telling you about the discount if you’re eligible.
Most eligible households will receive an automatic discount. Your letter will say if you need to call a helpline by February 28, 2023 to confirm your details.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by March 31 2023.
Those who are on low income
If you do not get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit you may be able to apply directly to your electricity supplier. 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
To get the discount you’ll need to stay with your supplier until it’s paid.
Pre-payment or pay-as-you-go meters
You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter. Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.
Mobile homeowners
You apply a different way if you live in a park home.
Applications for winter 2022 to 2023 open in September. Find out how to apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount here.
Read more on the Warm Home Discount scheme on the GOV.UK website here.
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