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Energy providers such as British Gas, EON, EDF, and OVO will be offering £150 to help struggling customers with theirenergy billsthis winter.
The payment, known as the Warm Home Discount, is distributed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and is applied directly to eligible customers’ bills if their provider participates in the scheme.
The scheme opened in October, with payments starting in November. Most eligible households will receive a letter confirming their discount between November and January.
However, if you believe you qualify but haven’t received the payment, it’s important to stay alert as you may need to make a claim.
Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount?
Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount Scheme varies depending on where you live.
Those who reside in England and Wales can qualify if their energy provider is part of the scheme and they either:
The low-income benefits that may be eligible include Universal Credit, Income Support, Housing Benefit, and Tax Credits.
People who live in Scotland can qualify if their energy provider is part of the scheme and they either:
Which energy suppliers are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme?
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.”
People should be on the lookout for the letter and payment if they are eligible, as there is usually only a small window to notify the Warm Home Discount scheme if the payment has not been applied to bills.
The DWP advises that anyone who believes they are eligible for the Warm Home Discount but has not received the letter by early January 2025 should contact the scheme.
The deadline to contact the scheme is February 28, 2025.