Direct SavingsWarm Home Discount - applications opening soon - are you eligible?
We at Direct Savings strive to positively impact fuel property; part of our ethos is to get information to the people. We do this through promoting Government-backed schemes such as ECO, local authority flexibility funding, energy savings trust loans - all ways of getting help to make your home more energy-efficient, and save you money.
The warm home discount is something else many people may qualify for but isn't necessarily advertised well, we thought we would try our best to explain it to you guys. After all,
£140 is nothing to be sniffed at!
The Warm Home Discount is a Government scheme funded by Energy Suppliers. It’s designed to help lower-income and vulnerable households with their energy costs during the winter.
If you meet certain criteria, you may qualify to receive the payment of £140.
The scheme opens on 18 October 2021. However, your energy supplier may be taking applications now.
In a nutshell, people on Pension Credit Guarantee qualify automatically under the CORE group, people who are on other benefits or have a low income may also qualify under the BROADER group.
Firstly, you must check if your energy supplier is part of the scheme - you can check the list here.
https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/energy-suppliers
Ok, now that you have established your energy supplier is taking part in the scheme, the next question is do you qualify?
Am I eligible?
The CORE Group
You qualify for the discount if on 4 July 2021 all of the following apply:
your energy supplier is part of the scheme
your name (or your partners) 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)
How to apply
You’ll receive a letter between October and December 2021 telling you how to get the discount if you qualify.
Your letter will say if you need to call a helpline by 28 February 2022 to confirm your details.
Your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2022.
If you do not get a letter
Contact the Warm Home Discount helpline if you do not get the letter by 31 December and you think you’re eligible for the ‘core group’.
Warm Home Discount helpline Telephone: 0800 731 0214
Do not contact the Warm Home Discount helpline if you’re not eligible for the ‘core group’.
The BROADER Group
Energy suppliers get to set their own criteria
You may be able to apply directly to your electricity supplier for help if you do not get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit but:
your energy supplier is part of the scheme
you’re on a low income
you get certain means-tested benefits
This is known as being in the ‘broader group’.
To get the discount you’ll need to stay with your supplier until it’s paid.
How to apply
Your electricity supplier decides who can get the discount.
The number of discounts suppliers can give is limited. Check with your supplier as early as possible to see if you’re eligible and how to apply.
Check with them even if you were eligible for a discount last year.
Your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2022.
Here is a list of links to some of the big energy suppliers' individual criteria.
Utlitia
https://utilita.co.uk/help/warm-home-discount
British Gas
https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/energy-saving/warm-home-discount.html
Eon
https://www.eonenergy.com/warm-home-discount.html
SSE
https://sse.co.uk/help/accessibility/warm-home-discount
Bulb
https://help.bulb.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/115001245512-The-Warm-Home-Discount