Four-week warning for low income households who risk missing out on ‘vital’ £150 energy bill discount
THOUSANDS of low income households have been urged to claim a “vital” £150 energy bill rebate before a crucial deadline.
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off deduction off your electricity bill made between October and March each year.
The money isn’t paid to you, but is applied as credit on your bill.
In the vast majority of cases, it’s automatic, but there are thousands of households who have to apply for the rebate, due to the way the scheme operates.
And the deadline – February 29 – is fast approaching, so if you do need to apply you should act soon.
Matt Copeland, head of policy at fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA), said: “With no additional energy bill support coming from the Government this winter, it’s vital that any eligible households apply for the Warm Home Discount before the deadline.”
Who has to apply for the Warm Home Discount by February 29?
While around three million people in total qualify for the Warm Home Discount this winter, there are thousands who need to apply for the payment.
That’s based on figures from the NEA which revealed 300,000 eligible low income households missed out on the £150 rebate during the last payment window.
Households who are eligible for the scheme should have received a letter between October last year and early January this year.
The letters tell you if you are eligible for the scheme or whether you qualify but need to give more information.
But if you do need to give more information, you have to call the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline on 0800 030 9322 by February 29.
The type of personal information that might be required from you includes an energy bill in your name or a tax credit certificate for the current tax year, which shows your income and the number of adults and children included in your assessment.
You may also have to provide a proof of receipt of benefits.
You may also have to apply by February 29 if you think you qualify for the Warm Home Discount and haven’t yet received a letter.
The Government has a tool on its website which you can use to find out if you qualify.
Park home residents, who can apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount have to do so by February 29.
These households need to apply on the Charis Grants website.
Scottish households on the Guarantee element of Pension Credit should get the Warm Home Discount automatically.
Everyone else who qualifies has to apply via their energy supplier.
In this case, the February 29 deadline does not apply, but you should still apply as soon as possible to avoid missing a payment.
Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount?
You have to be in receipt of one of the following benefits to qualify for the Warm Home Discount.
- Income support
- Income based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- Pension credit guaranteed
- Pension credit savings credit
If you weren’t claiming any of the above benefits on August 13, 2022, you won’t be eligible.
However, if you later launch a successful claim for backdated benefits, you may still be able to qualify after this date.
If you claim one of the qualifying benefits, the Government assesses your energy costs based on the type, age and size of your property.
For example, you may not be considered eligible if you live in a more energy-efficient property, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.
However, this rule doesn’t apply to recipients of the guarantee credit portion of Pension Credit.
What other energy bill help is there?
If you don’t qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you might be able to get help via the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The latest round of funding is worth £842million and has been shared between councils in England.
They then decide how to distribute their portion.
But what you are entitled to varies on where you live as each local authority sets its own eligibility criteria.
In the vast majority of cases, you will qualify if you are on benefits or a low income, or struggling financially.
You should approach your council to see if any help is on offer. You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool online.
You might also be able to claim a free grant from your energy firm if you’re struggling to make payments.
British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF are some of the major companies that offer help.
Meanwhile, it’s worth checking if you’re eligible for benefits, as it could be worth thousands of pounds more a year.
You can check if you might qualify for benefits by using a number of free online calculators:
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