Warm Home Discount: Could you get £140 for your heating bills? – eligibility explained

Martin Lewis outlines the Warm Home Discount criteria

The Warm Home Discount Scheme will be available this winter, and offer a payment between September 2020 and March 2021. It is intended to help certain Britons gain money off their electricity bills as the weather become colder. Many families will use more utilities this winter, as temperatures drop and people spend more time indoors.

As such, energy bills may prove a financial burden for certain households, who may need more assistance.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme will provide Britons with £140 off their electricity bill under the support offered by the initiative.

The money, however, will not be paid directly to individuals who are on the scheme.

Instead, it will serve as a one-off discount between the months of September and March.

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An additional benefit is the Warm Home Discount Scheme will not affect other schemes being offered by the government at this time.

This means those who are also eligible for the Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment will be able to claim without hesitancy.

However, understanding eligibility for the Warm Home Discount Scheme still remains key.

There are currently two ways to be able to receive the £140 support measure.

The first is for those who receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, who are known as the ‘core group’ on the scheme.

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People will have qualified for the discount if on July 5, 2020 all of the following elements apply:

  • their energy supplier has confirmed it is part of the scheme
  • their name – or their partner’s name – is on the bill
  • they are receiving Guarantee Credit as part of Pension Credit – even if Savings Credit is received as well 

Core group members should receive a letter between October and December 2020 which tells them how to receive the discount and the next steps to take.

But if a person does not receive this letter for some reason, they are encouraged to reach out to the Warm Home Discount helpline.

The second group eligible for the Warm Home Discount are the ‘broader group’ – those on a low income.

These individuals will be able to receive the discount if they are also claiming certain means-tested benefits, and if their supplier is part of the scheme.

Those who fall into the broader group are encouraged to check with their supplier to see if they are eligible, and find out how to apply.

However, the number of discounts suppliers can hand out are limited, and so Britons should take action on the matter as soon as possible.

Discounts will be given on a first come, first served basis.

If successful, an electricity supplier will apply the discount to a person’s bill by March 31, 2021.

There are an extensive number of suppliers who are part of the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

These include: British Gas, EDF Energy, SSE, ScottishPower and E.ON.

However, some will only offer the discount to individuals who are eligible for the ‘core group’ – those claiming the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

As a result, it is vitally important for Britons to check the support their energy provider is offering. 

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