Only a few days left to get €150 off your energy bill – how to avoid missing out
HOUSEHOLDS have just days left to claim an ‘essential’ £150 discount on winter energy bills before a crucial deadline.
The Warm House Discount is a one-off discount on your electricity bill that you pay annually between October and March.
The money will not be paid out to you, but will be applied as a credit to your invoice.
In the vast majority of cases this happens automatically, but there are thousands of households who need to apply for the discount because of the way the scheme works.
And the deadline – February 29 – is just five days away.
This means that if you need to submit an application, you must take action as quickly as possible.
Andy Kerr, founder of boiler company BOXT, said: “Many people will be struggling with the cost of living and with energy prices at an all-time high. People may not be able to pay their energy bills.
“If you are struggling, remember that help is available. There are a number of subsidies and schemes available, with different eligibility criteria, including the Warm Home Discount.”
Matt Copeland, head of policy at the charity National Energy Action (NEA), previously told The Sun it was “vital” that households sign up.
It comes as some households took to social media to remind each other of the impending deadline.
Who must apply for the Warm Home Discount before February 29?
While a total of around three million people will be eligible for the Warm Home Discount this winter, there are thousands who need to apply for the payment.
That’s based on figures from the NEA which showed 300,000 eligible low-income households missed out on the £150 rebate during the last payment period.
Households eligible for the scheme must have received a letter between October last year and early January this year.
The letters will tell you whether you are eligible for the scheme, or whether you are eligible, but you will need to provide more information.
But if you would like to provide more information, you must call the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline on 0800 030 9322 before February 29.
Personal information that may be required from you may include a utility bill in your name or a tax credit certificate for the current tax year, showing your income and the number of adults and children included in your assessment.
You may also be required to provide proof of receipt of the benefit.
Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount?
To be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, you must have one of the following benefits.
- Income support
- Income-related benefit for job seekers
- Income-related employment and support benefit
- Rent subsidy
- Universal credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- Pension credit guaranteed
- Pension credit savings credit
If you did not claim any of the above benefits by August 13, 2022, you are not eligible.
However, if you later successfully file a claim for retroactive benefits, you may still be eligible after this date.
If you claim one of the eligible benefits, the government will assess your energy costs based on the type, age and size of your home.
For example, you may not qualify if you live in a more energy efficient property, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.
However, this rule does not apply to recipients of the guaranteed credit portion of the Pension Credit.
You may also need to register no later than February 29 if you think you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount and have not yet received a letter.
The government has a tool on its website that can help you find out if you qualify.
Park Homes residents who can apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount must do so no later than February 29.
These households must submit an application on the Charis Grants website.
Scottish households with a guarantee element of a pension credit should automatically receive the Warm Home rebate.
All others who qualify must apply through their energy supplier.
In this case, the February 29 deadline does not apply, but you should still apply as soon as possible to avoid missing a payment.
What other energy bill help is there?
If you are not eligible for the Warm House Discount, you may be able to get help through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The latest round of funding is worth £842 million and has been shared between councils in England.
They then decide how to divide their portion.
But what you are entitled to depends on where you live, as each local authority sets its own eligibility criteria.
In the vast majority of cases, you are eligible if you are on benefits, have a low income or are struggling financially.
You should contact your local council to see if assistance is offered. You can find out which local authority area you fall under by using the government’s online council finder.
You may also be able to claim a free subsidy from your energy company if you are struggling to pay.
British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF are among the major companies offering help.
In the meantime, it’s worth checking if you qualify for benefits, as they could be worth thousands of pounds more per year.
You can check whether you may be eligible for benefits by using some free online calculators:
Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.
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