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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to inform millions of households about a £150 Warm Home Discount to help them manage their energy bills this winter.
The Government has confirmed the return of the Warm Home Discount this winter, despite controversy over the reduction in Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, which will impact fewer pensioners in an effort to reduce national spending.
The Warm Home Discount scheme opens in October, with payments starting in November and applied automatically to most bills.
Elderly individuals may qualify for the discount if they or their partner receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit.
Some recipients of Savings Credit, Universal Credit, or Housing Benefit may also be eligible.
In addition, low-income households with high energy costs, including those receiving Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, could benefit from the scheme.
Most eligible households will receive a letter between November and January confirming their discount.
However, it’s important to check for the letter and contact the scheme promptly if the payment isn’t applied, as there is a limited time to resolve issues.
So far, 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
- Utility
- Utility Warehouse.
If a person’s electricity supplier stops trading, they may still be eligible for the discount.
A statement on GOV.UK reads: “Ofgem will appoint a new supplier for you. Check with your new supplier if you’re eligible for the discount.”