The UK Government has issued an update on who will qualify for this year’s Warm Home Discount Scheme.
This comes after the eligibility criteria has changed and an increase of the payment from £140 to £150 will be issued The money is paid directly by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to energy suppliers and deducted from electricity bills.
The new boost with heating bills will be appreciated by eligible households following the announcement that the UK Government's £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee will end in April as the Government will review it, a year earlier than first planned. On top of this, all households will also be receiving a £400 discount on energy bills until March 2023.
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As the Daily Record reports, the new Warm Home Discount rule change means that not everyone will receive the support automatically.
In Scotland, 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 Scottish households who are in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit - 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.
“There is a separate Warm Home Discount scheme in Scotland. The Government will write to eligible households who are in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, while other low-income households should check with their energy supplier how they may apply.”
What is the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
Introduced by the UK Government in 2011, the Warm Home Discount scheme was set up to help eligible customers in Scotland, England and Wales with their energy bills during the winter.
It provides support for those living on low incomes or people of state pension age. Energy suppliers including British Gas, EDF, Scottish Power, SSE, E.on, Octopus, Shell and Utilita, fund it and the UK Government and Ofgem, the energy regulator, decide which households qualify and how much they will receive.
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.
For energy customers in Scotland, they are being urged to check if their provider is participating in the scheme as some may open applications early.
GOV.UK has direct links to the dedicated Warm Home Discount page of every energy provider for quick access here.
How much is the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
Those who are eligible and qualify can get £150 off their bills. The money is not paid directly into bank accounts - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between now and March 2023.
It’s worth noting that payments may be later this year due to administrative changes by DWP around eligibility as the rules on who qualifies are different and depend on where you live.
You might 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.
If you’re a credit customer it will be added to your electricity account and if you’re on Pay As You Go/Prepayment, you’ll be sent a voucher that you can use to top-up your meter.
Eligible people living in Scotland
There are two groups you could fit into if you are eligible. These groups are the 'core groups' or 'broader group. How you apply for the Warm Home Discount depends on how you qualify for the discount.
If you live in Scotland, are of pension age and get guarantee pension credit - you are part of the 'core group'. To be eligible;
Those part of low income households that are not part of the core group are eligible for the Warm Home Discount if;
- You or your partner need to be responsible for a child under five, or you need to be disabled, or you need to have a disabled child
- Getting one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Universal Credit, and earnings less than £1,418 per month
- Child Tax Credits, and earnings less than £17,005 per year
How to apply for Warm Home Discount in Scotland
The scheme opens on November 2022. If you are part of the Core Group, you do not need to apply and will receive a letter telling you if you are eligible. Letters will be issued between November 2022 and January 2023.
Your letter will say if you need to call a helpline by February 28, 2023 to confirm your details and if you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by March 31, 2023.
Those part of the Broader Group need to contact their energy supplier to apply. Some applications may open early so be sure to check with the energy company so you don't miss out as they will have more applicants than places.
Qualifying benefits - Scotland
The qualifying means-tested benefits are:
- 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
In Scotland, your electricity supplier decides who can get the discount.
Warm Home Discount for Park / mobile homes
Applications for winter 2022 to 2023 opened in September and you apply a different way if you live in a park home.
The scheme is available for permanent residents living in a Park Home in Scotland, England or Wales who pay their electricity bills directly to their park site owner. Applications will be considered on a first come first serve basis.
Find out how to apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount here.
You can find out more on the GOV.UK website here.
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