‘Do not ignore’ warning for 190,000 energy customers getting letters on doormats or risk missing £150 bill discount
THOUSANDS of energy customers are being warned not to ignore an important letter as they risk missing out on crucial bill support.
From October, millions of households began receiving the £150 warm home discount.
However, the method of payment for this discount depends on the type of electricity meter you have.
For those with smart credit or prepayment meters, the discount is automatically applied.
However, households with older, traditional prepayment meters that require a key or card for top-ups cannot receive the discount directly.
Instead, they are issued vouchers to redeem at their local top-up point.
The Post Office began issuing these vouchers on behalf of British Gas, E.ON Next, Ovo Energy, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, and Good Energy from October 21, 2024.
Around 190,000 warm home discount letters have been issued so far, worth a combined £28.5million, The Sun can reveal.
Kevin Elson, postmaster at Bache Post Office said: “We know many people are worried about the cost of their energy bills as the colder weather starts to set in.
“£150 can make a big difference, especially to people who are on pay-as-you-go meter.
“That’s why postmasters, like me, and our teams stand ready to help and ensure that people can easily redeem their vouchers.”
The deadline to cash in your voucher will be stated in your letter.
This usually varies between 30 and 90 days from the point of issue.
However, Kevin added: “If the voucher is lost or expires, households can contact their supplier to have it reissued.”
Why the warm home discount is as important as ever
The warm home discount is back for another year, and it is an important as ever.
Consumer reporter Sam Walker explains why.
Millions of pensioners have seen their winter fuel payments scrapped this year after the Government made it means-tested.
The up to £300 payment used to be available to anyone of state pension age, currently 66, or older.
However, you now only qualify if you receive one of the following: pension credit, Universal Credit, income-related employment and support allowance (ESA), income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), income support, or tax credits.
The eligibility for the warm home discount is the same, except those on housing benefit qualify for the WHD but not the winter fuel payment.
In any case, the WHD has never been more important to thousands of households struggling with the cost of living.
How do I redeem my warm home discount voucher?
To redeem your warm home discount voucher, visit any Post Office branch.
You can find your nearest branch by visiting postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder.
Once at the branch, present your voucher to the counter staff. You may need to show identification, such as your driving licence or passport, along with a recent utility bill.
The specific ID requirements will be stated on the voucher itself. Ensure that both the ID and utility bill are in the name of the voucher recipient.
If someone is assisting you in redeeming the voucher, they will need to bring your ID and utility bill, as well as their own ID.
The Post Office staff will scan the barcode on your voucher or manually enter the code.
They will then apply the £150 credit directly to your prepayment energy meter key or card.
Who’s eligible for the warm home discount?
Between October and December, the government issued letters to over three million households eligible for the scheme.
These will have told you that:
- You’re eligible and you’ll get the discount automatically; or
- You might be eligible, and you need to give more information.
- You can call the helpline by February 29, 2024 to confirm your details.
To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of pension credit or a different qualifying benefit form the list below:
- Income support
- Income based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal Credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- The “savings credit” part of pension credit
If you weren’t claiming any of the above benefits on August 11, 2024, you won’t be eligible for the payment.
Where someone claims a qualifying benefit, the government will assess their energy costs based on the type, age and size of property.
This means that you may not be considered eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you live in a more energy-efficient property for instance, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.
However, this rule doesn’t apply to recipients of the guarantee credit portion of pension credit.
Even if you weren’t getting pension credit on August 11, thousands of pensioners who applied for the benefit at a later date could still qualify for the £150 payment.
This is because pension credit rules allow first-time claimants to backdate their benefit entitlement by three months.
You will need to have launched your claim by 10 November and then successfully have it backdated to cover the qualifying date for the warm home discount on August 11.
But if you failed to apply before this date, you’ll miss out this winter.
If you haven’t received a letter confirming your eligibility for the scheme by the middle of January 2025, but believe you qualify, you should contact the helpline on 0800 030 9322.
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.