Thousands on low incomes to get £150 one-off payment for energy bills this winter – see if you’re one of them
THOUSANDS of households on low incomes could be missing out on a £150 one-off payment to help with energy bills this winter.
The Park Homes Warm Home Discount is available to families who live in mobile homes.
Applications for the scheme have opened today, Wednesday, October 2, with the fund operated by charity group Charis Grants.
It differs from the Warm Home Discount for households in England and Wales who automatically get a £150 boost into their account if they are on certain benefits.
This scheme has been specifically made for those living in parked homes who miss out on help by not having a direct account with their energy supplier.
A parked home is a type of mobile that is lived in all year round.
Residents are often elderly, retired and have restricted incomes.
Unlike the Warm Home Discount, which is paid for by the government, this scheme is funded by Ofgem and energy suppliers.
Jonathan Hunt, director of the charity, said that people living in park homes have historically missed out on “much-needed financial support”.
“The importance of the scheme to these households cannot be overstated.”
It comes as the number of people supported by the Park Homes Warm Home discount grew to more than 5,000 last year,
Charis hopes that the number of households to benefit could reach more than 6,000 this year.
Who qualifies for a payment?
You could be eligible for the scheme if you or someone in your household receives one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Universal Credit showing an earned income between £0 and £1,665 a month
- Child Tax Credit by virtue of an award based on an annual income not exceeding £19,978
- Working Tax Credit by virtue of an award based on an annual income not exceeding £19,978
- Housing Benefit (or Housing element if receiving Universal Credit)
You will also receive the cash if you are not receiving any of these benefits but the total gross annual income across everyone living in your house is below £19,978.
How do I apply and how will I be paid?
Only people living in mobile homes can apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount.
You have to apply on the Charis Grants website, which can be found by searching https://charisgrants.com/.
You’ll need to provide details of the benefits you receive, plus income details for other members of your household.
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.
You must also have a valid email address so you can receive the decision outcome and any requests for information.
To receive the cash you will also need to share your bank account details, as shown on either your bank card, bank passbook or account statement.
If you are struggling with your application you can call the Charis support team on 01733 797543.
If your application is successful, a payment of £150 will be made directly into your bank or building society account by March 31, 2025.
Applications open today October, 2 and the scheme will close by the end of March.
What other support is out there?
A number of energy firms have support for struggling customers.
Many gas and energy suppliers offer grants and schemes for customers who are struggling.
For example, British Gas has a fund open to pre-payment meter and credit customers who have found themselves in debt worth up to £1,700.
The Individual and Families Fund was first set up in 2021 to help households struggling with energy debt.
This scheme’s support is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers.
However, if your provider is Ovo Energy, E.ON Next, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, Octopus Energy or Utilita it asks your go to them for assistance first.
You can check out your eligibility for the scheme here.
Elsewhere, EDF has a customer support fund which on average wipes £1,250 off customers’ bills.
It is available to vulnerable customers experiencing hardship.
Turn2Us also has an online tool which checks your elibiglty for over 1,400 grants.