The Warm Home Discount scheme is a UK Government initiative, administered by energy suppliers. It helps households who are vulnerable and on a low income to afford energy.
The Warm Home Discount is a credit of £150 to your energy account or energy meter if you qualify. It is the equivalent of getting £150 of fuel for free.
Suppliers do not open for applications until late summer/early autumn and this window can close without warning at any time. Contact your supplier for more details and apply as soon as possible once applications are being accepted.
The Warm Home Discount is a separate benefit to the Winter fuel or cold weather payments. It is not taxed and receiving it does not affect any other benefits you get.
The Warm Home Discount is paid whether you have credit meters (and pay by monthly Direct Debit or pay a bill) or whether you have prepayment meters (sometimes known as 'pay as you go' meters).
If you have a credit meter, the Warm Home Discount will appear as a credit on your electricity statement or as a reduction to the sum owed on your electricity bill.
If you have prepayment meters, your supplier will advise you how you will receive the payment. Generally, the supplier will post you a voucher you can use to top up your meter at a PayPoint outlet. Some suppliers require the Warm Home Discount to be applied to an electricity key meter; others allow it to be applied as an alternative to a gas card meter.
All suppliers, apart from the smallest, are on board. For a full list, please see the GOV.UK Warm Home Discount page.
There are 2 groups of customers who qualify for the Warm Home Discount.
You qualify as part of the core group if
Core group customers do not need to apply for the Warm Home Discount. They receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions notifying them by the middle of December. Their payments are usually made by the end of January.
Broader group customers do not receive the Warm Home Discount automatically, they have to apply afresh each year to their electricity supplier. (Some suppliers do send out letters to customers who applied the previous year, but it is unwise to rely on this as a reminder.)
The period for applications can be quite short and no late applications can be accepted. Some suppliers accept applications from as early as July for payment the following year.
Payments to broader group customers will be made between 1 January and 31 March; most payments are made in March rather than earlier in the year.
You should qualify with any supplier which is in the scheme if
With some suppliers only, you will qualify if
Each supplier has its own categories of customers who form the broader group. Please check with our Home Energy Advice Team or your supplier to determine if you qualify as part of the broader group.
Our Home Energy Advice Team can assist you to complete an application for the Warm Homes Discount scheme. Our contact details are at the bottom of this page.
Each supplier has a definite window for applications. This can shut suddenly when the supplier reaches its target for applicants; so it is best to contact our Home Energy Advice Team or your supplier as early as possible, to avoid missing out.
If you don't qualify for the Warm Home Discount with your supplier, it is often worth switching supplier to one with which you do qualify. The Home Energy Advice Team would be able to help you switch if you wish to do so.
Home Energy Advice Team
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000
Email: fuelenergyadvice@clacks.gov.uk