With the arrival of colder weather this autumn, many British households are preparing to turn up the heat, while also keeping in mind the high electricity and gas bills from last year. Although Ofgem’s Energy Price Cap has decreased significantly since then, inflation remains high at 6.7%, and people are still struggling with the cost of goods and services.
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee’s MPs have already urged Rishi Sunak’s government to provide support to households under pressure this winter. Angus Brendan MacNeil, the committee’s chair, issued a warning in September, stating that vulnerable individuals will be haunted by the sacrifices they made last year to cope with exorbitant energy costs. He emphasized that one in four people still carry energy debts from last winter, and an announcement of government support is long overdue.
Fortunately, there is already a valuable source of support available through the government’s Warm Home Discount scheme. Introduced in 2011, this scheme provides a £150 reduction in energy bills for eligible recipients. The discount is automatically applied to bills between early October 2023 and 31 March 2024. In England and Wales, you qualify for the discount if you receive the guarantee credit element of pension credit or if you have a low income and high energy costs.
To be eligible for the discount based on guarantee credit, your energy supplier must be part of the scheme, your name or your partner’s name should appear on the electricity bill, and you or your partner must receive the guarantee credit element of pension credit. If you have a low income, you qualify if you receive means-tested benefits such as housing benefit, income-related employment and support allowance, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income support, savings credit part of pension credit, or Universal Credit. You may also qualify if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you receive child tax credit or working tax credit.
In Scotland, the qualifying criteria are similar, requiring the guarantee credit element of pension credit or a low income. However, in the latter case, you may need to apply through your energy company. Generally, there is no need to apply for the discount as it will be automatically added to your account if you are eligible.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you should receive a confirmation letter between early October 2023 and early January 2024. If you believe you are eligible but do not receive a letter, you can contact the Warm Home Discount helpline before 29 February 2024. Additionally, you can write to the Warm Home Discount Scheme at PO Box 26965, Glasgow G1 9BW.
For more information on the scheme, please visit the dedicated page on the UK government’s website. Stay warm and save on energy costs this winter!