WINTER has arrived and a number of energy firms are cutting £150 off of thousands of customers energy bills in a much-needed boost.
The help comes via the Warm Home Discount, a one-off deduction on energy bills which is usually applied automatically.
Around 3.14million households received the top up between October 2023 and March 2024 totalling hundreds of millions of pounds.
And with many bracing themselves for another energy bill hike in the New Year, it’s important to make sure you get all the help that you’re entitled to.
The average dual fuel bill for those not on a fixed deal will rise from its current rate of £1,717 a year to £1,738 on January 1, 2025.
But bear in mind the exact amount you pay can be higher or lower depending on your usage and how you pay, plus the cap is reviewed every three months.
Around 29million households are on standard variable tariffs which are affected by the price cap, according to Ofgem.
To be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, you have to be on the
Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or a number of other benefits to receive the top up.
The other qualifying benefits are:
If you weren’t claiming any of the above benefits on August 11, 2024, you won’t be eligible.
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.
If you live in England or Wales you will receive the rebate automatically.
However, households in Scotland and on a low income have to apply via their suppliers.
The discount is being applied between October this year and March 31, 2025 and eligible households should receive a letter telling them they qualify.
The “big six” suppliers are all taking part in the scheme this year, including British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF.
But a number of smaller firms are too, including So Energy.
Here is the full list of suppliers offering the discount over the colder months and how you will receive payment.
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.
British Gas confirmed to The Sun that it has started pay the Warm Home Discount to eligible households.
But don’t worry if you haven’t got your payment yet, as they are being made right up until March 31.
How the firm applies the £150 discount varies depending on how you normally pay for your bills.
If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill the discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit.
If you have a traditional prepayment meter, British Gas will send you a voucher you can use to top up your meter at a Post Office.
If you’ve got a smart prepayment meter, British Gas will send the discount directly to your meter as a credit.
It will then send you an email to let you know it’s on there.
If it can’t get the amount applied directly to your meter as quickly as it would like, British Gas says that it will send you a voucher to top up from a Post Office.
That way you’ll still get your discount as soon as possible.
EDF said it started paying the Warm Home Discount in October and will continue to do so over the coming months.
It said it will aim to pay the discount by February 28, 2025.
If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill the £150 discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit.
Once it has been applied, it will show on your next bill.
If you have a traditional prepayment meter, EDF Energy will send you a letter explaining how you’ll get your discount.
You’ll receive a Post Office voucher in the post and instructions on redeeming it.
If you have a smart prepayment meter, EDF Energy will automatically credit your meter with the discount.
Octopus told The Sun that it began issuing payments from October 30.
It added that all eligible customers will have the discount applied to their electricity bills by March 31, 2025 at the very latest.
If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill the discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit.
If you have a traditional prepayment meter, Octopus Energy will send you a voucher you can use to top up your meter at your nearest Paypoint kiosk.
You can find your closest one by visiting consumer.paypoint.com/cashout.
If you’ve got a smart prepayment meter, Octopus Energy will send the discount directly to your meter as a credit.
It will then send you an email to let you know it’s on there.
Ovo Energy said that it aims to pay the discount to all of its customers by the end of December.
However, a selected number of customers could be paid between January and the end of March is their eligibility confirmation is delayed.
If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill the discount be added to your electricity account as a credit.
If you have a traditional prepayment meter, Ovo Energy will send you a letter explaining how you’ll get your discount.
If you have a smart prepayment meter, Ovo Energy will credit your meter with the discount.
Scottish Power has said that it will aim to pay the discount by the end of March 31, 2025 and that payments have started being issued.
If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill the £150 Warm Home Discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit.
Once it has been applied, it will show on your next bill.
If you have a traditional prepayment meter, Scottish Power will send you a letter explaining how you’ll get your discount.
You’ll receive a Post Office voucher in the post and instructions on redeeming it.
If you have a smart prepayment meter, Scottish Power will automatically credit your meter with the discount.
To find out more about the scheme, visit scottishpower.co.uk/warm-home-discount-scheme.
So Energy will pay all eligible customers the discount by the end of March 31, 2025.
It has already started issuing payments to eligible households.
If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill the £150 Warm Home Discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit.
Once it has been applied, it will show on your next bill.
If you have a traditional prepayment meter, So Energy will send you a letter explaining how you’ll get your discount.
You’ll receive a Post Office voucher in the post and instructions on redeeming it.
If you have a smart prepayment meter, So Energy will automatically credit your meter with the discount.
To find out more about the scheme, visit so.energy/support/solutions/articles/7000057243-warm-home-discount.
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