Can you claim extra cash to help keep warm?
I think you'll probably agree that we've been fortunate so far this Autumn with the weather, it's been mild and I was outside wearing just a T-shirt at the weekend as it was warm and sunny... in November... very strange, but not unwelcome, primarily as it's meant I've hardly touched my heating, and haven't had to use the tumble dryer very much at all! In fact, I've used about 30% less energy than this time last year, thank goodness, but it looks like that's about to change, with much cooler weather heading our way, and even some of the white stuff likely to affect parts of the North in the coming few days, so I just wanted to quickly touch base about an energy discount that's not being used by everyone that's entitled to it.
The Warm Home Discount
I know I've spoken about the Warm Home Energy Scheme before, as have many other bloggers and publications, however, I am active on a few debt-related forums, and reading through what people are going through and asking, it has become apparent that there are still a large number of people who didn't know the scheme existed, or if they did they didn't think they would qualify or didn't know how to find out if they are eligible, so I wanted to mention it again quickly.
It's worth checking with any relatives or friends you think might qualify for the scheme to ensure they know about it and how to claim, as it's not a time to miss out on extra money.
The scheme offers those who qualify for the help £150 off their electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023
The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill between October 2022 and March 2023.
Energy suppliers will automatically apply the payment to your energy account as long as you were receiving certain benefits on or before Sunday, August 21st 2022. If you weren't receiving these benefits until after this cutoff date, you wouldn't be able to get the grant this time, but if you are still receiving the benefits next year, you may be able to apply for the 2023/2024 period.
These are the benefits you need to be in receipt of to be able to apply for this additional financial help:
Income support
Income-based jobseeker's allowance
Income-related employment and support allowance
Housing benefit
Universal credit
Child tax credit
Working tax credits
Pension credit guaranteed
Pension credit savings credit
You can check and see if you are eligible using this HMRC checker
You’ll need the following:
the name of your electricity supplier
details of any benefits you receive
You’ll also need to know the size and age of your property. You can find this:
on Energy Performance of Buildings Data if your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
on property documents, like your tenancy agreement or insurance paperwork
If you live in a park home, you’ll need to apply for the Park Homes Warm Home Discount Scheme instead.