One month warning ahead of key benefit deadline as 760,000 risk missing out on £150 energy bill discount
AROUND 760,000 pensioners are at risk of missing out on this loophole that could snag a £150 deduction on their energy bills.
The deadline for the discount is fast approaching to get The Warm Home Discount (WHD) which is a scheme for those receiving specific benefits.
According to gov.uk, The WHD is currently closed but is set to reopen this month for those who need to apply.
The program offers a one-off payment of £150 to struggling with winter bills – including the thousands on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.
This will be taken directly off you energy bill and not arrive as lump sum and in most cases you will receive the discount automatically.
Those eligible also include people who receive Universal Credit, income support and Housing Benefit.
There are a few requirements needed to apply for the scheme.
Requirements stated on the gov.uk website
You may be eligible for The Warm Home Discount Scheme if on 13 August 2023 all of the following applied:
- Your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- You (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits or tax credits
- Your property has a high energy cost score based on its characteristics
- Your name (or your partner’s) is on the electricity bill
These specifications are from 2023, so if you tick these boxes for 2024 unfortunately cannot apply for the discount this winter.
If these requirements apply to you it means you are in ‘core group 2’ meaning you should be eligible to receive the £150 discount this Christmas.
When will I receive my discount?
If you are eligible, the Warm Home Discount will be applied between October and March.
Traditional prepayment meter customers are sent vouchers by post, email, text or cheque.
Once you’ve got hold of you £150 voucher youve got 90 days to redeem it at your nearest Post Office or PayPoint shop.
It will be deducted from you electricity bill but you are able to get a discount on your gas bill if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity.
The best way to check ask about whether you can get a discount on your gas bill is by contacting your energy supplier.
What is pension credit?
Pension credit is a system created to assist with those over the state pension age, 66, with low earnings.
The benefit adds a certain amount of money each week to help pensioners who are in need of financial help.
If you are an individual receiving pension credit, the Guarantee Credit will increase your weekly income to £218.15.
If you have a partner, the benefit will be joint and it will bump up your weekly income to £332.95.
There is an additional pension credit benefit called savings credit, which, if you have savings or your income is above the basic full state pension amount.
The WHD doesn’t just apply to those on pension credit but to those receiving a range of means-tested-benefit.
To see if you are currently claiming means-tested benefits, check if your benefit is on the list below.
Means-tested benefits
If you receive on of the following benefits then you receive means-tested benefits and could be eligible for the The Warm Home Discount Scheme
- The ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit