Just days left for 760,000 households to apply for key benefit and lock-in £150 Warm Home Discount


Just days left for 760,000 households to apply for key benefit and lock-in £150 Warm Home Discount + ' Main Photo'

HUNDREDS of thousands of households have just days left to apply for a key benefit and ensure they receive this years Warm Home Discount.

The eligibility requirements for the scheme, which credits £150 to a customers energy account, are the same as last year.

AlamyA number of energy firms have started issuing the payment but its not too late to qualify[/caption]

There are two Warm Home Discount schemes one for England and Wales, and one for Scotland.

Those living in England and Wales do not need to apply for the scheme, but those living in Scotland do.

Between now and December, the government will issue letters to households that qualify for the scheme.

However, to be eligible for the discount, you must have claimed one of nine means-tested benefits on a specific date in August.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which administers the £150 Warm Home Discount, says households must have had an active claim for any of the following benefits on Sunday, August 11:

Guaranteed credit element of pension credit
Income support
Income-based jobseekers allowance
Income-related employment and support allowance
Housing benefit
Universal Credit
Child tax credit
Working tax credits
The Savings Credit part of pension credit

However, even if you werent receiving pension credit on the qualifying date of August 11, theres a trick you can follow to ensure that you get the extra cash later.

This is because your eligibility for certain benefits can be backdated.

For example, successful pension credit claims can be backdated by three months.

The latest figures show that a whopping 760,000 people are eligible but havent made a claim.

As well as missing out on a £300 winter fuel payment, they wont get the £150 Warm Home Discount payment.

So youll need to launch your claim by Sunday, November 10 and then successfully get it backdated to cover the August 11 Warm Home Discount qualifying date.

To find out more, visit gov.uk/pension-credit.

What is pension credit and how do I apply?

PENSION credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.

This is known as guarantee credit.

If your income is lower than this, youre very likely to be eligible for the benefit.

However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.

You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:

Attendance allowance The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA) The daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP) Armed forces independence payment The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.

ou could get the savings credit part of pension credit if both of the following apply:

You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016 You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension

This part of pension credit is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.

Pension credit opens the door to other support, including housing benefits, cost of living payments, council tax reductions, the winter fuel payment and the Warm Home Discount.

You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.

WARM HOME DISCOUNT TIMELINE IN ENGLAND AND WALES

Households in England and Wales will get a letter between October 2024 and early January 2025 telling you:

Youre eligible and youll get the discount automatically
You might be eligible, and you need to give more information.
The letter will tell you to call the helpline by 29 February 2024 to confirm your details.

If you dont get the letter by early January 2024 and you think youre eligible, you need to call the helpline on 0800 030 9322.

If youre eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2025.

SOME SCOTTISH HOUSEHOLDS NEED TO APPLY

In Scotland theres a core group thatll receive an automatic payment and a broader group which has to apply for the scheme with their energy provider.

Youll need to check with your energy supplier directly to see the eligibility requirements and details on how to apply.

The scheme will have more applicants than places, so make sure you apply as soon as possible.

HOW ITS PAID

If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill, the £150 Warm Home Discount will usually be added to your electricity account as a credit.

Once it has been applied, it will show on your next bill.

If you have a traditional prepayment meter, your energy supplier will send you a letter explaining how youll get your discount.

Youll usually receive a Post Office voucher in the post and instructions on redeeming it.

If you have a smart prepayment meter, your supplier will automatically credit your meter with the discount.

What energy bill help is available?

Theres a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if youre struggling to get by.

If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.

This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.

If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you dont think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.

Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You dont need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if youre struggling.

Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.