Need to know
Millions of families will receive the Warm Home Discount every winter for the rest of the decade after the scheme was expanded until 2030/31
Millions to get £150 Warm Home Discount every winter until 2030(Image: Ekaterina Vasileva-Bagler via Getty Images)
Everything you need to know as Warm Home Discount scheme extended.
- Households across the country will benefit from the Warm Home Discount each winter through to the end of the decade following confirmation the initiative has been prolonged until 2030/31.
- Under the Warm Home Discount scheme, eligible recipients receive £150 deducted straight from their electricity bill, with the funds forwarded to your energy provider rather than deposited into your personal account.
- Typically, the discount is administered between late October through to March, coinciding with the colder winter period. Most eligible individuals should see this applied without needing to take action.
- Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount applies to households where an individual was in receipt of specific benefits on the qualifying date, which varies annually. This year, that qualifying date falls on August 24, reports the Mirror.
- To qualify for the Warm Home Discount this winter, you must have been receiving one of these benefits on that date: Guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit.
- For residents of England or Wales, the Warm Home Discount will be applied automatically, meaning there should be no requirement to submit an application.
- Scottish residents will only receive the payment automatically if they’re in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. For those claiming the other benefits mentioned above, you’ll need to get in touch with your energy provider directly.
- The Warm Home Discount scheme does not operate in Northern Ireland. Household energy costs have risen once more, with the Ofgem price cap climbing from £1,755 to £1,758 for a typical dual fuel household settling bills via direct debit.
- Energy Secretary Ed Miliband stated: “Tackling the affordability crisis is the Government’s number one priority. That is why we are today confirming to millions of eligible families across the country that they will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount every winter for the rest of the decade.”
- Ned Hammond, deputy director of customer policy at Energy UK, the industry body representing energy suppliers, commented: “It’s very good news to see confirmation that the Warm Home Discount will be in place until the end of the decade which, particularly with the recent expansion, will provide continuing vital support with energy bills to millions of customers.”
- Matt Copeland, head of policy and public affairs at National Energy Action, added: “The five-year continuation of the Warm Home Discount is welcome news for low-income households and provides support that extends beyond this parliament.”