The Warm Home Discount scheme is set to expand this year, with around six million households benefitting from a £150 discount towards their energy bills
This year, millions of households could be in line for a £150 discount on their energy bills, including those on a low income. The government had previously confirmed that it would expand the Warm Home Discount scheme after tight restrictions were implemented last year.
It is now estimated that around six million households will benefit from the discount, with an additional 2.7 million included from the expansion this year. Despite the expansion, many people will need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for the discount.
Fortunately, many people on low income who are also claiming benefits could receive the discount on their bills.
Who is eligible for the discount?
In the past, the criteria for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales were confined to those receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, individuals facing high energy costs, or recipients of certain means-tested benefits.
This made the eligibility criteria restrictive for many customers who did not claim any qualifying benefits but were still struggling to pay for their energy.
However, the Government has since confirmed that it will remove the threshold, if a means-tested benefit recipient is named on the energy bill.
While the discount is given automatically to Pension Credit claimants, those who qualify by other means may need to apply for the discount through their energy supplier.
This is possible provided the energy supplier participates in the scheme and either the claimant or their partner is in receipt of certain means-tested benefits or tax credits.
Full list of benefits eligible for Warm Home Discount
According to official guidance, the following means tested benefits could make you eligible for the Warm Home Discount:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- the ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Keep in mind that the discount will be applied to your bill and is not a cash payment.
All the energy suppliers taking part in the scheme
According to the government website, the following 27 suppliers are signed up to the Warm Home Discount scheme:
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- E – also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Octopus Energy
- Good Energy
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Tomato Energy
- Utility Warehouse
- OVO
- E.ON Next
- ScottishPower
- EDF
- Utilita
- London Power
- British Gas
- TruEnergy
- Ecotricity
- Fuse Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Rebel Energy
- Boost
- So Energy
- Co-op Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Shell Energy Retail
- Home Energy