Millions of households to get automatic winter payment starting in DAYS – it’s not just for those on state pension
MILLIONS of hard-up households will receive a key energy bill discount worth £150 starting in just days and it’s available even if you’re not on the state pension or get pension credit.
The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is a £150 cut to your electricity or gas bill and is applied by your energy supplier once a year.
In most cases those who qualify will receive the reduction automatically and do not need to apply.
If you live in England and Wales you will be eligible if you get the guaranteed credit element of pension credit or are on a low income and have high energy costs.
The scheme could provide a lifeline to millions this winter after the Government last month cut the number of households that will receive Winter Fuel Payments.
The scheme is administered by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which will contact households who qualify for the discount by post between October and December.
These letters will let customers know that they are eligible for the discount and when the deduction will be applied.
If you think you are eligible for the scheme but have not received a letter by early January then you should check your energy account to see if it has been credited by £150.
If you have not been sent the cash then you should contact the Warm Home Discount helpline.
The phone number will be available via the Government’s website from next month.
You have until February 28, 2025 to contact the helpline depending on what qualifying criteria you meet.
But it is best to call before this date to make sure you do not miss out on the payment.
What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is usually applied between October and March as credit on your account, but this will depend on how you pay for the energy you use.
Usually the £150 is deducted from your electricity bill but if you have a dual fuel tariff then you can also get the money off your gas bill.
If you have a credit meter, your Warm Home Discount will be credited directly to your account.
Once it has been applied it will show on your next bill.
If you are a prepayment meter customer you will receive the voucher in the post with instructions on how to redeem it at your local Post Office.
If you are eligible then your energy supplier will apply the discount to your bill by March 31, 2025.
How do I qualify for it?
To qualify for the credit, households in England and Wales must fall into one of two categories – “core group 1” and “core group 2”.
Core group 1 is for customers who receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and will be identified by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
What is pension credit and how do I apply?
PENSION credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.
This is known as “guarantee credit”.
If your income is lower than this, you’re very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:
- Attendance allowance
- The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA)
- The daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP)
- Armed forces independence payment
- The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.
ou could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if both of the following apply:
- You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
- You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension
This part of pension credit is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.
Pension credit opens the door to other support, including housing benefits, cost of living payments, council tax reductions, the winter fuel payment and the Warm Home Discount.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
Meanwhile, core group 2 is made up of households who receive certain means-tested benefits or tax credits and have a “high energy cost score”.
This is based on the type, age and size of your property and is assessed by the Government.
The benefits that put you in core group 2 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 and Universal Credit
If you were not claiming any of these benefits on August 11, 2024 then you will not be entitled to the payment.
You may also be eligible if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you get tax credits.
If you do not fall into these groups then you need to apply directly via your energy supplier.
When will I receive the discount?
The dates that you will receive the reduction will depend on your energy supplier and when it is notified that you are eligible.
Ovo Energy will aim to pay the discount by the end of December or within six weeks of being told by the government which customers are eligible at the beginning of October.
But a select number of customers could be paid between January and the end of March if it takes longer to confirm that they qualify.
British Gas and Scottish Power have said that they will make all payments by March 31, 2025 at the latest.
EDF said that it will try to provide customers with their rebate by February 28, 2025.
All payments will be made by the end of March 2025.
What other help is available?
If you do not qualify for the Warm Home Discount then you may be able to get help with your bills through the Household Support Fund.
Last month the fund was extended to next spring and a further £421 million was added to the pot, which has been shared between councils in England.
It is up to each council how they allocate their portion, which means that how much you get and whether you are eligible will depend on where you live.
If you are on benefits, have a low income or are classed as vulnerable then you are likely to receive the help.
Contact your local council to see what help is on offer.
There is a tool on the Government’s website to help you find which council area you fall under.
You may also be able to get a grant on your energy bills if you are in debt.
Several energy firms including British Gas, Octopus Energy and Ovo offer up to £2,000 to help customers.
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