The Warm Home Discount scheme has been expanded this year, with millions of households now eligible for a £150 discount on their energy bills – here’s everything you need to know
This year, millions of households, including those on a low income, could be eligible for a £150 discount on their energy bills. The government had previously announced plans to expand the Warm Home Discount scheme following stringent restrictions imposed last year.
It is now projected that approximately six million households will benefit from the discount, with an additional 2.7 million included due to this year’s expansion. Despite the expansion, households will need to meet specific criteria to qualify for the discount.
Fortunately, many people on a low income who are also claiming benefits could receive the discount on their bills.
Who qualifies for the discount?
Previously, the eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales were limited 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 recipient of a means-tested benefit is named on the energy bill.
While Pension Credit claimants automatically receive the discount, those who qualify by other means may need to apply for the discount through their energy supplier.
As long as the energy supplier is part of the scheme and either the claimant or their partner receives certain means-tested benefits or tax credits, this is achievable.
Full list of benefits eligible for the Warm Home Discount
According to official guidelines, 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
You could also qualify if you’re low income and receive the following tax credits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Remember, the discount will be applied to your bill and is not a cash payment.
All the energy suppliers participating in the scheme
According to the government website, the following 27 suppliers are enrolled in 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