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UK households are in line for a £150 reduction on their energy bills courtesy of the Warm Home Discount scheme. This one-off discount is typically applied directly to your bill by your energy supplier, rather than being given as a cash payment.
However, those who use a pre-payment meter for their energy may receive the discount in the form of a voucher, depending on the supplier, which can then be used to top up your meter. Households will start receiving letters confirming their eligibility for the scheme from this week from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It’s now projected that approximately six million households will benefit from the discount, with an additional 2.7 million included due to this year’s expansion of the scheme. Previously, the eligibility requirements for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales were limited to those receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.
This made the eligibility criteria quite restrictive for many customers who didn’t claim any qualifying benefits but were still finding it difficult to afford their energy. However, the Government has since confirmed that it will remove the threshold if a recipient of a means-tested benefit is named on the energy bill.
Pension Credit claimants will automatically receive the discount, but others who are eligible may need to apply through their energy supplier. The energy supplier must participate in the scheme and either the claimant or their partner must be receiving certain means-tested benefits or tax credits to qualify.
Which energy suppliers are taking part?
According to GOV.UK, the following energy firms are taking part in the Warm Home Discount scheme:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Co-op Energy – see Octopus Energy
- E – also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Fuse Energy
- Good Energy
- Home Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox Energy
- OVO
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Square 1 Energy Ltd
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Tulo Energy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
What if my previous supplier is no longer active?
In some rare instances, you may find that your energy supplier has ceased trading, leaving you in the process of being moved to a new supplier. If this does occur, you could still be eligible for the Warm Home Discount.
During the process, Ofgem will assign a new supplier for you who should get in touch to explain what will happen with your energy account. Once you’ve established contact with your new supplier, it would be prudent to discuss your eligibility for the Warm Home Discount to be applied to your bills.
Further details on eligibility for the Warm Home Discount scheme can be found on GOV.UK here.
