As bad weather continues to hit the UK, we are all thinking a bit more about how bills will increase over the colder months. The Warm Home Discount Scheme will open on 16 October, and will see Brits all over the UK get £150 reduction on their electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023.
Discover our latest podcast
You could get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity. Here’s how to know if you are eligible, if you have to apply, and when to expect it to come into action.
Eligibility and how to apply
According to gov.uk, your eligibility depends on your supplier and where you live. The scheme, for example, is not available in Northern Ireland. The government states:
If you live in England and Wales,you qualify if you either get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income and have high energy costs.
If you live in Scotland, you qualify if you either get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income in Scotland and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme
You can check if your supplier offers the scheme on MoneySavingExpert.com. If you are in England or Wales and are eligible, you should automatically get the discount. In Scotland, you need to contact your supplier to check your eligibility and apply. The number of discounts is limited so get in touch as soon as possible to start the process.
When to expect the discount
How and when you get the discount depends on how you pay your electricity bill. However, the discount will almost always be deducted from your bill rather than given as a cash payment.
If you live permanently in a park home in England, Scotland or Wales, you probably don’t have an electricity bill coming directly from a UK energy company. However, if you are eligible you can still get the money: you’ll receive £150 into your bank account to help towards your winter fuel bill. To apply, head to the Charis Grants website. The system is first-come first-served so don’t delay if you want to apply.
If you fit the criteria, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2024. The government's page will be updated with information for the 2023/2024 scheme on 16 October - you can check it out here.
Read more:
⋙ Council tax scrapped for this group of people, find out if it includes you
⋙ 5 Tips To Fight Against Winter Depression
Sources used:
Gov.uk: Warm Home Discount Scheme
MoneySavingExpert.com: Warm Home Discount
