The cost of living crisis continues to worry many people across the UK with bills such as shopping just one of the things on the rise.
In addition, energy bills are also seeing an increase with millions keeping their heating off in a bid to avoid a large bill.
Because of this, shoppers have been on the hunt for the likes of electric blankets, air fryers, and other clothing to keep themselves warm and reduce just how much energy they're using.
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It comes as experts have been advising people to heat the person, and not the home, in a bid to save some cash.
But now Money Saving Expert has reminded Scottish households on certain benefits that they can get £150 off their energy bills this winter under the Warm Home Discount scheme – but, unlike in England and Wales, many in Scotland still need to apply.
They also warn that people should do it as soon as possible as in some cases, it's on a first-come, first-served basis.
In an update on January 6 of this year, the MSE team say that many companies are now beginning to close their schemes so people should therefore "apply as soon as possible to ensure you don't miss out."
Here's what they want you to know...
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Warm Home Discount scheme: How to get £150 off your energy bills
According to MSE, the way the scheme works is that rather than the money being paid directly into your bank account, the £150 rebate is applied to your electricity bill between October and March, and if you're on a prepay meter, you will likely be sent a top-up voucher.
So how do you qualify?
According to MSE, there are two ways that you could be eligible. They are as follows:
1. If you get the guarantee credit element of pension credit, the payment should come automatically (this is known as the 'core group').
"The key qualifying date is August 21, 2022. You're eligible if, on that date, you were getting pension credit, your name – or your partner's – was on the energy bill and your supplier was part of the scheme (all firms with at least 50,000 customers are required to take part).
"You should get a letter between November 2022 and January 2023 letting you know when to expect your discount. A telephone helpline will open on 14 November if you need help or haven't received your letter.
"Are you of state pension age? Check if you can get pension credit. If you qualify, you can still get the warm home discount if you make a claim for pension credit before 14 November 2022 and request for it to be backdated. Pension credit can also unlock many other benefits – see our Pension credit guide for full info.
2. On certain benefits? You may qualify, but you MUST APPLY (this is known as the 'broader group').
"If you're on a low income and on certain means-tested benefits you may still be able to get the Warm Home Discount, but in this scenario, it won't be paid automatically and you'll need to apply to your energy provider.
"The minimum eligibility criteria are shown in the table below, but suppliers can choose to offer the discount to more customers based on additional criteria – so it's worth checking directly with your supplier to see if you might be eligible."
Warm Home Discount scheme: How to apply for the discount
If you received one of the following benefits, this is the criteria you need to meet in order to qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme:
Child tax credit
- Your annual income is £17,005 or less and you have parental responsibility for a child under the age of five who usually lives with you
- OR Your child tax credit has a disability element
- OR You get a disabled child premium
Housing benefit, Income support, Income-based jobseeker's allowance, Income-related employment and support allowance (with a support component or member of the work-related activity group)
You have parental responsibility for a child under the age of five who usually lives with you
OR you get either child tax credit with a disability element, a disabled child premium, a disability premium or a pensioner premium
Universal Credit
You earned £1,418 or less in at least one assessment period since October 2021 and you have parental responsibility for a child under the age of five who usually lives with you
OR you have 'limited capability for work' or 'limited capability for work and work-related activity'
OR your universal credit has a disabled child element
Applications are open now but only for some companies. You can see the list of who is open and which companies are closed on the MSE website here.
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