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Warm Homes Discount
The Warm Home Discount scheme is a £150 payment towards your energy costs over the winter if you meet certain criteria detailed below. If you're on a prepay meter, you'll usually be sent a top-up voucher. If you qualify, the discount will be applied between early October 2023 and 31st March 2024. It is usually credited against a homes electric use.
You may be eligible for the Warm Home Discount if your household meets either of the following criteria groups:
1) If you are/someone in your household is in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. If you receive this and your name is on your energy bill, you should be eligible for the discount. This is now called 'Core Group 1'. Previously, this needed to be applied for, but has now been automated. If the person who receives the Guarantee Credit element is not named on your energy bill, you will need to contact the supplier.
2) If you are being paid certain means tested benefits or Tax Credits (see below) you may get the discount automatically. Priority will be given to low-income households that are more likely to have high-energy costs and therefore most in need of support with energy bills. This is now called 'Core Group 2'.
Eligibility is based upon your circumstances on the “qualifying date” of 13th August 2023.
The scheme for Core Group 2 is now open. You should receive a letter between October 2023 and January 2024 telling you about the discount if you are eligible. The discount will be applied by the 31st March 2024.
Qualifying benefits for Core Group 2 include:
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credits/Working Tax Credits (provided your household income is below a certain level)
- Pension Credit (Savings Credit)
Some people have been excluded from the Warm Home Discount due to the introduction last year of the “expected high energy costs” part of eligibility. This is where the Government uses data such as your homes Energy Performance Score (EPC), other land Registry data and information from the Valuation Office Agency to decide if your home’s energy running costs are high based on the construction/age/floor space of your home. If you think the wrong decision has been made, you can appeal it– further information about how to do this is available over on the Money Saving Expert page.
Likewise, if you do not receive a letter about the Warm Home Discount by January 2024. but believe you may be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, you can contact the Governments Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).
If you live in a park home and meet the eligibility criteria above, you do need to pro-actively apply for the discount, due to the way your electricity access works. Further information can be found here.