Tens of thousands of financially vulnerable people are likely slipping through eligibility cracks in the £150 Warm Home Discount support scheme, according to MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE). After direct contact between MSE founder Martin Lewis and the UK Government’s Energy Secretary Grant Shapps, Mr Shapps has promised he will look into the complaints.
While new eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount scheme means those on the guaranteed element of Pension Credit will continue to get the payment automatically, others on a low income also now need to have 'high energy costs.' This means that many who qualified last winter and are still facing financial difficulties won’t get it, and even some who likely should be being paid under the new criteria are finding it tough to secure the payment.
The change in Warm Home Discount eligibility rules this winter means that people in Scotland may be part of the ‘Broader Group’ if they are on a low income in receipt of certain benefits including Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Tax Credits and Income Support. Those who qualify will see the £150 discount applied to their energy bill by March 31, 2023.
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, said: "The new system of Warm Home Discount high energy use assessments has left some out in the cold.
“It seems to be a blunt instrument, which may work to keep administration costs down, but has led to edge cases likely unintentionally missing out, and provision is needed to help financially vulnerable people who are falling into these cracks.”
He added: “It seems to me, if there's doubt that people are high energy users, their bills may be a good way to settle it.
“I've contacted Grant Shapps and he told me he’d look at it. I hope there will be some flexibility put into the system to help people at this difficult time, either to come up with solutions, or at a minimum to explain how people can better navigate the rules for a fair outcome."
Consumers have told MSE of their situation - one said they ‘don't eat much as money is tight’ while another said they’re ‘still as cold as last year’ - except now their ‘costs are higher’ and they’re ‘not eligible for any help’. The deadline to claim, or to challenge a claim, for this winter is February 28.
You can read the full story on MSE.com here.
To keep up to date with the latest energy news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out daily Monday to Friday - sign up here.
READ NEXT
Check how much of the £1,350 cost of living payments you are due this year
New update for people due £50 Winter Heating Payment from this month
New energy petition calls for special monthly tariff for older people and disabled households
New £200 energy payment for off-grid homes to be applied to most electricity accounts this month
Full list of benefits and payments only available to people living in Scotland this year
