With Ofgem's most recent announcement that the energy price cap will rise to £3,549 from October 1, many households will likely be looking for ways to help pay their bills.
During the winter months in the UK, energy usage is at its highest which means higher energy costs to keep your house warm while temperatures are at their lowest. However, many families may be concerned that they won't be able to afford heating this year following Ofgem's announcement on Friday (August 26).
However the Warm Home Discount Scheme you could get £140 taken off your electricity bill during the winter period.
Read more: Cost of living calculator - how much will your energy bills rise this autumn?
This money is not paid directly to you and is instead a one-off discount on your electricity bill between October and March. The scheme will begin for winter 2022/23 in November, here's how to find out if you are eligible.
How to find out if you're eligible for the Warm Home Discount
Currently, there are two ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme. In order to be eligible you must be in one of the following two groups:
- Receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the 'core group'
- Or if you're on a low income and meet your energy supplier's criteria for the scheme - known as the 'broader group'.
How to apply
If you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you can qualify for the discount in November if your energy supplier if any of the following apply:
- 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)
If you are eligible, you will receive a letter in the post telling you to call a helpline and confirm your details. However, if you do not receive the letter but feel you are still eligible for the 'core group' then you will need to contact the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 731 0214.
If you're on low income then you will need to apply for the scheme through your electricity supplier if you meet one of the following criteria:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- you’re on a low income
- you get certain means-tested benefits
It will be up to your electricity supplier to decide whether you get the discount or not. Because the number of discounts available are limited this way, it is important to contact your supplier as soon as possible in November when the scheme reopens.
Here's a full list of all the energy suppliers currently on the scheme:
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Atlantic – see SSE
- Boost
- British Gas
- British Gas Evolve (formerly British Gas X)
- Bulb Energy
- Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy
- E (Gas and Electricity)
- E.ON
- E.ON Next
- Ebico
- Ecotricity - only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
- EDF Energy
- ESB Energy – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
- GEUK (Green Energy UK) - only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
- London Power
- M&S Energy
- Nabuh Energy
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
- OVO
- Rebel Energy – only if you’re eligible for the ‘core group’
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- Scottish Hydro – see SSE
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Southern Electric – see SSE
- SSE
- Swalec – see SSE
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
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Everything you need to know about the energy price cap change
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