Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently announced that every domestic electricity customer across the country will receive a £400 discount off their energy bill from October in a new effort by the UK Government to help millions of households cope with the cost of living crisis.
Along with doubling the £200 of support announced earlier this year, the full £400 payment will now be made as a grant, which means it does not have to be repaid. Energy suppliers will deliver this support to households with a domestic electricity meter over six months from October.
However, not everyone will receive the extra financial help to tackle the next Ofgem price cap rise, which is expected to be more than £2,800, and there is still some confusion around eligibility - especially for people living in park homes or using off-grid gas supplies.
Ayrshire and Arran MP, Patricia Gibson, recently asked the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy about ensuring people living in park homes, including those who are elderly and vulnerable, can access support for their energy bills this winter.
Ms Gibson’s key questions:
- What discussions are taking place to ensure people living in park homes, including those who are elderly and vulnerable, can access UK Government support for energy bills
- What steps are being taken to make sure people who purchase off-grid gas supplies, including those living in park homes who are elderly and vulnerable, are able to access Government support for energy bills
- What steps are being taken to ensure that people with off-grid energy supplies will receive the £400 energy bills grant
Unfortunately, most of these people will not receive the £400 discount as it will be paid directly to the supplier of domestic electricity customers, which means it may go to the person paying for the electricity in a park home.
Instead, these people will only be able to receive support through the Warm Home Discount Scheme (£140) which is set to re-open in September 2022, the Winter Fuel Payment scheme (up to £300) and Cold Weather Payments (£25 for prolonged drops in temperature).
More than 400,000 households in Scotland will stop getting Cold Weather Payments and instead receive a £50 payment in February 2023 through the new Low Income Winter Heating Assistance scheme.
But there could still be cash available for people living in park homes or those using off-grid gas supplies.
Those on a low income, elderly or disabled, may qualify for one of the new Cost of Living Payments announced by the Chancellor on May 26.
These include:
- £650 for people on means-tested benefits
- £300 for people of State Pension age who qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment
- £150 for people claiming disability benefits
In a written response to Ms Gibson on June 8, Energy Minister Greg Hands, said: “The [UK] Government is aware that not all households have electricity provided through a domestic electricity supply contract, such as park home residents. The Government raised this in its technical consultation on the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
“The responses to this consultation are being analysed and a response will be published later in the summer.”
He continued: “Vulnerable consumers, including park home residents will be eligible for £140 contribution towards their energy bills each winter through the Government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme.
“It is anticipated that the Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme will re-open again in September 2022. Other support available includes the Winter Fuel Payments and Cold Weather Payments.”
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