Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount scheme is a one-off annual discount on your electricity bill of ~£140 for eligible customers.
This discount may be applied to your gas bill instead, if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity (this needs to be checked with your supplier directly).
The scheme runs each year from Ocrober to March – and does not affect any benefits you receive under the cold wetaher payments or winter fuel payment schemes.
There are 2 ways to qualify for this scheme:
- You get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (known as the ‘core-group’), or
- You’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme (known as the ‘broader-group’).
The scheme is also open to users with pre-payment meters. In this case, you may be given vouchers for energy top-ups rather than a credit on your bill.
For customers on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
You qualify for the discount if in July, all of the following apply:
- Your energy supplier is part if the scheme.
- Your name (or your partners name) is on the bill.
- You are getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
If the above 3 tests are met, you ‘should’ receive a letter between October and December, telling you how to get the discount iof you qualify. This is normally to call a helpline number and confirm your details.
Your supplier will then apply the discount yo your bill by the end of March.
If you do not get a letter, but believe you are eligible, based on the 3 tests above (and remember that these tests have to be passed in the July before the winter period), then you will need to call the Warm Home Discount Helpline on 0800 731 0214.
For customers on a low income
- Your energy supplier is part if the scheme.
- You are on a low income
- You get certain means-tested benefits
To get the discount, you’ll need to stay with your supplier until after the discount is applied (often in March).
Each supplier has their own eligibility criteria for their discretionary discount, and the number of discounts suppliers can give are limitted – so you need to chck and apply as early as possible.
Further details on the Warm Home Discount scheme are avaiable on the government website https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.
Belbridge Energy are happy to assist vulnerable customers in contacting suppliers or helping to make sure that applications for the scheme are completed and filed on time. We have a list of participating suppliers and templated request letters which we are happy to help you complete.