A government scheme which is set to hand £150 in energy discounts to millions of homeowners and renters is going live on Monday. From October 16 the Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2023 to 2024 opens and anyone who meets the criteria - and gets power from energy companies which take part in the scheme will get the money off their bills.
To qualify to receive the money a person must firstly get the guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit or a different qualifying means-tested benefit, including: Income support, Income based jobseeker’s allowance, Income related employment and support allowance, Housing benefit, Universal Credit, Child tax credit, Working tax credits, and Pension Credit savings credit.
To get this year’s Warm Home Discount the person needs to have been receiving the benefits on August 13 this year. Only households living in an eligible domestic premises may receive a rebate. Eligible properties are those that are identified in the VOA data as a residential house or a flat.
For that reason, properties where the electricity supply comes via an intermediary, like Park Homes, caravans, and annexes to properties, are not eligible. If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill the Warm Home Discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit. If you have a traditional prepayment meter, your supplier will send you a voucher you can use to top up your meter at your local PayPoint kiosk.
Your energy supplier also needs to be part of the scheme - full list of those participating below: If the electricity supplier you were with stops trading, you may still be eligible for a Warm Home Discount. Ofgem will appoint your new supplier for you.