As the Warm Home Discount Scheme opens, millions are reminded of the savings they can be making if they qualify.
The scheme offers a one-off £150 payment to help eligible, low-income customers in England, Scotland and Wales pay their energy bills over the winter.
It will provide more than three million households with £150 to help with winter fuel costs.
To qualify, customers must have an account with one of 17 participating electricity suppliers and claim either:
or, if they have high energy costs:
- A different ‘qualifying benefit’ such as the Savings Credit portion of Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
For the full list of qualifying benefits in England, Wales and Scotland, click here.
An expert has explained the importance of people being aware of what benefits are available, who might be eligible and how to help elderly relatives.
Kieran Harris, a mobility expert, CEO and founder of stairlift company, Senior Stairlifts fears too many elderly and vulnerable people are facing similar hardships.
He said: “Vulnerable people are struggling more than ever and it’s a problem that I’m seeing much too often. When I walk into customers’ homes I can instantly feel the chill and when I ask them if they want the heating on, they are visibly distressed and many express their concerns in regards to heating costs.
“It’s awful to witness first-hand the negative impact this has on elderly people and their families. Research has found that over 2 million people in the UK live in relative poverty, which roughly amounts to 18 percent of the country and there are a huge proportion of the population that will be worried they won’t be able to heat their home this year.
“With many elderly people I visit, they often express that they don’t know what they’re going to do about this, so this clearly shows there’s a real issue here that needs addressing.”
“In recent years, I think the digital landscape has completely changed and this has meant that nearly 2 million over-75s are now digitally excluded from society as they don’t have access to the internet.”
Mr Harris is urging people to check if they have a claim to the warm home discount and to ask their family, friends, neighbours or carers for advice and assistance.
Which energy suppliers are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme?
The following suppliers are part of the scheme:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Co-op Energy – see Octopus Energy
- E – also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Good Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO
- Rebel Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse.
The Warm Home Discount is automatically applied to bills between October 2023 and March 2024, or those with a pre-payment meter can receive the support in the form of a top-up voucher.
Those who qualify in England and Wales will receive a letter from October onward explaining the discount and instructions on what they need to do next, while customers in Scotland need to apply directly with their energy supplier as soon as possible.
He concluded: “It’s unfair to live in fear about how you’re going to stay warm this winter.
“It’s devastating to see that some people aren’t even aware of or have access to the benefits they rightfully deserve.
“I don’t think anyone should be sat shivering in their home this winter, nor should they feel any pressure or anxiety to switch on the heating.”
For more information on the Warm Home Discount, Britons can check the Government website.
Which energy suppliers are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme?
The following suppliers are part of the scheme:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Co-op Energy – see Octopus Energy
- E – also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Good Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO
- Rebel Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse.
