The deadline for claiming the Warm Home Discount this year has been disclosed. The Warm Home Discount, valued at £150, is a direct payment to your energy supplier, reducing your energy bill or providing credit for prepayment customers. Typically, it is disbursed in October or November.
To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you must be receiving specific benefits by August 24. In England and Wales, the payment is automatic, while in Scotland, automatic payment applies if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. For other eligible benefits, application through your energy provider is necessary. Notably, there is no similar program in Northern Ireland.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has eliminated the high-cost-to-heat threshold, formerly a requirement for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales. This change is expected to increase the number of households receiving the discount next winter by 2.7 million, totaling an estimated 6.1 million recipients.
If you are experiencing difficulties, contacting your energy provider for available assistance is advised. Options may include payment plans, payment breaks, affordable debt repayments, and ensuring you are on the most cost-effective tariff. Prepayment customers worried about energy running out can access emergency credit, with some providers offering up to £15.
Additionally, inquire with your energy supplier about hardship funds or grants that do not require repayment. In colder weather, Cold Weather Payments of £25 are issued when temperatures remain at or below 0C over seven consecutive days. Those on specific benefits may also be eligible for Winter Fuel Payments up to £300 for pensioner households. Charities are available to offer support to individuals struggling with energy costs or debt.
