The Warm Home Discount scheme is set to return for the winter of 2023/24. Eligible individuals will receive a £150 discount directly on their electricity bill. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send out notifications starting in October, with payments continuing until the end of March next year.
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£150 DWP Payment For Millions of Households
This scheme is designed to help those most vulnerable to fuel poverty by reducing their energy costs during the colder months. The discount is not given in cash but is applied directly to the energy account, making it easier for recipients to manage their bills.
How the Discount is Applied
- The discount is applied directly to your energy account.
- Prepayment meter customers will receive a top-up voucher.
- Dual fuel customers can request the discount to be applied to their gas bill instead.
For those with prepayment meters, the top-up voucher can be used to add credit to their meter, ensuring they have enough energy to keep their homes warm. Dual fuel customers, who receive gas and electricity from the same supplier, can choose which bill the discount is applied to, providing additional convenience.
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Eligibility Criteria
To determine eligibility, follow these steps:
- Check Supplier Participation: Ensure your energy supplier is part of the Warm Home Discount scheme.
- Automatic Payment: If your supplier is participating, you will automatically receive the payment if you or your partner receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit (referred to as “core group one”).
It’s important to note that not all energy suppliers participate in the scheme, so checking with your supplier is the first step. If you or your partner are part of the core group one, the discount will be applied automatically, eliminating the need for additional application processes.
Qualifying Benefits in England and Wales
You will automatically receive the discount if you claim certain benefits and have high energy costs. The qualifying benefits include:
- Housing Benefit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- “Savings Credit” part of Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
These benefits aim to support individuals and families with low income or those who are unemployed. By receiving these benefits, you are recognized as needing additional support to manage your energy costs, making you eligible for the Warm Home Discount.
Additional Qualification Criteria
You may also qualify if your household income is below a certain threshold and you receive:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Households with children or adults working but earning a low income can also benefit from the scheme. Including Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit ensures that families with children and working individuals who are struggling financially receive the necessary support.
Checking Eligibility
You can verify your eligibility using the GOV.UK Warm Home Discount online tool.
The online tool is user-friendly and provides a quick way to check if you qualify for the discount. By entering your details, you can find out if you meet the criteria and what steps you need to take next.
Special Criteria for Scotland
- In Scotland, benefit claimants must apply for the Warm Home Discount through their supplier under the “broader group” criteria.
- Electricity suppliers in Scotland may have additional eligibility criteria.
In Scotland, the process is slightly different, requiring an application through your energy supplier. The broader group criteria allow for more flexibility, but it also means that suppliers have the discretion to set additional eligibility requirements.
Availability
- The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.
Unfortunately, residents of Northern Ireland do not have access to the Warm Home Discount scheme. This is due to differences in the energy market and regulatory environment in Northern Ireland compared to the rest of the UK.
Summary
Region |
Automatic Payment |
Application Required |
Additional Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
England & Wales |
Yes |
No |
High energy costs |
Scotland |
No |
Yes |
Supplier-specific criteria |
Northern Ireland |
No |
No |
Not available |
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