State pension age? Some to get £140 discount - days until Warm Home Discount Scheme opens
STATE PENSION age must be reached in order to get the UK state pension, however from this point in life, some could get further payments and discounts. For certain people, this includes support via the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
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October has rolled around, and with the nights drawing in and the temperature dropping, winter doesn't feel far away at all. Autumn 2020 only officially began just over a week ago, but schemes to support those on low incomes during the cooler months are on the horizon.
This includes the Warm Home Discount Scheme, with the 2020 to 2021 scheme opening on October 12, 2020.
Under this scheme, some people can get £140 off their electricity bill for winter 2020 to 2021.
However, this is not a payment that is paid to the eligible person.
Rather, it's a one-off discount on the individual's electricity bill, between September and March.
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It does not affect a person's Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment, should these be something they receive.
Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
There are two ways in which individuals can qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
A person can get it if they receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, with those in this position being known as the "core group".
To start getting Pension Credit - an income-related benefit made up of two parts (Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit) - a person must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached state pension age.
Alternatively, people who are on a low income and who meet their energy supplier's criteria for the scheme may also be eligible - with this being referred to as the "broader group".
The way in which a person applies for the scheme depends on how they qualify for the discount.
Core group: Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
A person will qualify for the discount under this core group if on July 5, 2020, all of the following criteria apply:
- Their energy supplier is part of the scheme
- Their or their partner's name is on the bill
- They are getting the Guarantee element of Pension Credit (even if they get Savings Credit as well).
Broader group: Low income
Even if they don't get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, a person may be able to apply directly to their supplier for financial help.
This is if:
- Their energy supplier is part of the scheme
- They're on a low income
- They get certain means-tested benefits.
However, it's important to be aware that to get the discount, the individual will need to stay with their supplier until it is paid.
Furthermore, the electricity supplier decides who can get the discount, and the number of discounts suppliers can give are limited.
Further details on how both groups of individuals can apply for the scheme are available online, under the "Warm Home Discount Scheme" guidance on GOV.UK.