2 weeks Ago By Sara Benwell
THE Warm Homes Discount Scheme (WHDS) is a one-off reduction on your energy bills worth £150. Last year, the government says it delivered almost £5million rebates to people across Great Britain. 1 The Warm Home Discount is worth £150 Credit: Alamy The discount is applied automatically if you’re eligible.
It’s knocked off your energy bill through your supplier, you don’t get paid the money directly. Government data shows that the vast majority of people get the payments automatically, for instance 95% of pensioners didn’t need to do anything. But there were still 128,000 people who got the cash after contacting the scheme helpline, which is why it’s really important to keep an eye out for letters and make sure you’re getting what you’re entitled to.
Read more on Money BILL BOOST I’ve saved £510 a year on my energy bills with one trick - it’s changed my life CASH HELP The nine key money dates coming in December including DWP Christmas bonus To get the money, you need to either get the guarantee element of Pension Credit, or one of several other benefits. The most common non-pensioner households receiving a discount are in Universal Credit, Income-based support and employment allowance, and tax credits. You can still qualify if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go metre, but it might be delivered through energy vouchers.
Your supplier can confirm how the discount is applied. Most read in Money SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP Major Scots city named as one of UK's best for Xmas shopping DREAM PADS Inside UK's most viewed homes on Rightmove this year - including Klopp's mansion FEEL GOOD FOOD First look at Sebb's - Glasgow's latest underground bar in Merchant City POOR SHOW 'Women will be 30% poorer in retirement,' three easy ways to boost pension I you get your electricity and gas from the same supplier then you might be able to reduce your gas bill instead. Not all suppliers take part in the scheme, so if you think you would normally be eligible it might be worth switching to a provider that is signed up.
How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills The energy companies that offer the discount are: 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 the Market OVO Rebel Energy Sainsbury’s Energy Scottish Gas – see British Gas ScottishPower Shell Energy Retail So Energy Tomato Energy TruEnergy Utilita Utility Warehouse To help you understand whether you’ll get the help this year, we’ve rounded up all the benefits and criteria that should entitle you to the WHDS. Everyone on these benefits should get a letter than will either confirm that you’re eligible or ask you for extra details to prove that you qualify for the energy discount.
These started going out in October, but could be sent as late as early January. If you’re asked for extra info, you need to respond by February 28, 2025, or you’ll miss out. If your letter says that you’re eligible, you don’t need to do anything.
The discounts have to be applied to accounts by suppliers before March 31 next year. If you haven’t got the letter and you think you should have, you can ring the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline on 0800 030 9322 or write to Warm Home Discount Scheme, PO Box 14127, Selkirk, TD7 9AH. The guarantee element of Pension Credit If you or your partner were receiving the guarantee the element of Pension Credit on August 11 this year, you should get the payment as long as one of you is named on the electricity bill and your supplier is part of the scheme.
This is known as being in the "core group 1" in England and Wales. In Scotland, it is the "core group". Other benefits If you don’t get Pension Credit, there are still plenty of benefits that can qualify you for the WHDS.
To get the discount, you must have met the following criteria on August 11 this year. your energy supplier is part of the scheme you (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits or tax credits your property has a high energy cost score based on its characteristics your name (or your partner’s) is on the electricity bill The benefits that count for the discount are: Housing Benefit income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) Income Support the "Savings Credit" part of Pension Credit Universal Credit You could also qualify if your household income is below a cap, and you get either: Child Tax Credit Working Tax Credit Your property must have a high energy cost score for you to get the discount. This isn’t calculated based on your actual energy bills.
Instead the government looks at your property’s type, age and floor area. In Scotland If you’re in Scotland and on a low income, you need to apply for the Warm Home Energy Discount. You do this directly with your supplier.
Some suppliers have additional criteria you’ll need to meet to qualify. The government warns that there are a limited number of discounts available in Scotland, so you need to contact your supplier as early as possible, even if you got a discount last year. Read more on the Scottish Sun BENEFIT BLACKSPOT Scotland's unemployment capital where nearly half claim benefits revealed PARK THE BUS Fans left stranded after club hitches a ride on their bus for Scottish Cup tie Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.
co.uk . Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.
