Warm Home Discount would give you £140 towards your winter fuel bills. It is paid in the form of a credit on your electricity bill from your supplier (if you get both gas and electricity from the same supplier you may be able to ask for it to be transferred to your gas account).
To get it your supplier must be part of the scheme – all the larger companies have to take part but it is voluntary for smaller firms although many of them do take part.
There are 2 ways you might qualify for this:
Core Group: If on the qualifying date (this year 4th July 2021) you were getting Guarantee Pension Credit and your, or your partner’s name was on the electricity bill, you will be eligible in the core group. You shouldn’t need to claim – the DWP should write to you with the details and you should get the discount on your bill sometime between November 2021 and March 2022. If you are in this group and DWP have not written to you by December contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline on 0800 731 0214 to check.
Broader Group: Most suppliers who are part of the scheme will also give this discount to customers who are on a low income and/or get some means tested benefits. The exact qualifying criteria varies from different suppliers and you do have to appy for this so if you think this applies to you, contact your supplier directly to find out if you can get it.
Most suppliers have a limited fund for this so apply as soon as you can.
What if your energy supplier fails? If you are in the Core Group and your supplier fails, you should still be paid automatically to your new energy account, If you are in the Broader Group then you would need to re-apply to your new supplier as soon as your new account is set up.
Details can be found on https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme and including a list of all energy suppliers who are part of the scheme https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/energy-suppliers
If you want help with Warm Home Discount please contact Valerie on 07483333115 or email valerie@caringtogether.org.uk
