Pension Credit can be backdated by three months – so if you apply by November 11, you can still receive the Warm Home Discount worth £150 off your electricity bill for this year
Time is running out for hundreds of thousands of older Brits to claim Pension Credit and still be entitled to the Warm Home Discount.
The Warm Home Discount scheme gives eligible households a discount worth £150 off their electricity bill. You will either see this money applied directly to your energy bill, or if you’re a prepayment meter customer, you’ll get a top-up voucher. Those who are entitled to the help should receive a letter from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
You should receive the Warm Home Discount automatically if you claim the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit. This is known as “core group one” in England and Wales and the “core group“ in Scotland. You technically need to have been in receipt of Pension Credit by August 11 to claim the Warm Home Discount.
However, Pension Credit can be backdated by three months – so if you apply by November 11, you can still receive the Warm Home Discount for this year. Not all energy firms are signed up to the Warm Home Discount scheme, so check this list on GOV.UK to see if yours is taking part.
If you don’t claim Pension Credit, you should also get the Warm Home Discount automatically in England and Wales if you were in receipt of one of these benefits on August 11 and you have high energy costs:
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Housing Benefit
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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
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Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
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Income Support
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“Savings Credit” part of Pension Credit
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Universal Credit
You could also qualify if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you get:
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Child Tax Credit
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Working Tax Credit
You can check if you’re eligible to receive the discount using the GOV.UK Warm Home Discount online tool. If you live in Scotland and you claim benefits, you’ll need to apply for the Warm Home Discount through your supplier under the “broader group” criteria. Your electricity supplier may have extra eligibility criteria, as it is up to them who gets the discount in Scotland.
The majority of people will be paid their Warm Home Discount by the end of March. If you haven’t received your Warm Home Discount letter by early January, you can call the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322. You must contact this helpline before February 28, 2025. The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.
