HUNDREDS of thousands of households have just one week left to apply for a key benefit and ensure they receive a £150 energy bill discount this winter.
The extra support comes through the government’s Warm Home Discount.
There are two Warm Home Discount schemes – one for England and Wales, and one for Scotland.
Those living in England and Wales do not need to apply for the scheme, but those living in Scotland do.
Between now and December, the government will issue letters to households that qualify for the scheme.
However, to be eligible for the discount, you must have claimed one of nine means-tested benefits on a specific date in August.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which administers the £150 Warm Home Discount, says households must have had an active claim for any of the following benefits on Sunday, August 11:
However, even if you weren’t receiving Pension Credit on the qualifying date of August 11, there’s a trick you can follow to ensure that you get the extra cash later.
This is because your eligibility for certain benefits can be backdated.
For example, successful pension credit claims can be backdated by three months.
The latest figures show that a whopping 760,000 people are eligible but haven’t made a claim.
As well as missing out on a £300 winter fuel payment, they won’t get the £150 Warm Home Discount payment.
So, you’ll need to launch your claim by Sunday, November 10 and then successfully get it backdated to cover the August 11 Warm Home Discount qualifying date.
To find out more, visit gov.uk/pension-credit.
The Sun has already launched a free tool to help you check whether you are eligible for benefits.
The free benefits checker is in partnership with poverty charity Turn2Us as part of our Winter Fuel SOS campaign.
PENSION credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.
This is known as “guarantee credit”.
If your income is lower than this, you’re very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:
ou could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if both of the following apply:
This part of pension credit is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.
Pension credit opens the door to other support, including housing benefits, cost of living payments, council tax reductions, the winter fuel payment and the Warm Home Discount.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
Households in England and Wales will get a letter between October 2024 and early January 2025 telling you:
If you don’t get the letter by early January 2024 and you think you’re eligible, you need to call the helpline on 0800 030 9322.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2025.
In Scotland there’s a “core group” that’ll receive an automatic payment and a “broader group” which has to apply for the scheme with their energy provider.
You’ll need to check with your energy supplier directly to see the eligibility requirements and details on how to apply.
The scheme will have more applicants than places, so make sure you apply as soon as possible.
If you pay by direct debit or when you get your bill, the £150 Warm Home Discount will usually be added to your electricity account as credit.
Once it has been applied, it will show on your next bill.
If you have a traditional prepayment meter, your energy supplier will send you a letter explaining how you’ll get your discount.
You’ll usually receive a Post Office voucher in the post with instructions on how to redeem it.
If you have a smart prepayment meter, your supplier will automatically credit your meter with the discount.
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 grant 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, and 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.
