Households urged to check eligibility for £150 boost to offset rising energy bills
Here is what you need to know about the The Warm Home Discount Scheme and how to apply.
Households are urged to check if they're eligible for a £150 boost this year to help offset the escalating costs of rising bills. This comes as customers of Octopus, British Gas, EON and others are bracing for a £144 bill hike in the coming days, as we reported this week.
The energy price cap is due to rise from October 1, thanks to a new cap imposed by Ofgem. This means customers can anticipate their energy bills to increase by an average of £12 per month.
According to gov.uk: "The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. If you’re eligible your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you."
Only those residing in England, Scotland and Wales who are on standard variable or default tariffs will be impacted by these changes, irrespective of whether you pay through direct debit or a prepayment meter. However, it doesn't apply to the small proportion of people still on fixed-rate tariffs. The actual annual cost per customer will vary depending on individual energy usage.
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What is the Warm Home Discount eligibility?
There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depending on where you live. The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland but you can read about the Affordable Warmth scheme which may apply to you.
If you live in England and Wales you qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income and have high energy costs
If you live in Scotland you qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income in Scotland and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme
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Which energy suppliers are part of the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
The following suppliers are part of the scheme:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy
- E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Good Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO
- Rebel Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
How to apply to the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
You don't need to apply. Gov.uk state: "You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible. You only need to apply if you’re on a low income in Scotland - contact your energy supplier to apply.
"You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out."
