Energy help worth £150 that low-income state pensioners can get as winter fuel bill is axed for 10 million
MILLIONS of state pensions will still be able to get £150 in energy bill support this winter.
The government has confirmed that it is committed to retaining the £150 Warm Home Discount, The Sun can reveal.
It comes just days after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a major shake-up to the winter fuel payment scheme.
Aorund 10million pensioners will no longer be eligible for winter fuel payments as part of cuts.
The £300 government handout was previously available to everyone aged above 66 and helped with pricey energy costs.
Rachel Reeves said on Monday that the cash would only be given to retirees on pension credit, or other means-tested benefits.
However, the same households can boost this £300 payment by another £150 this winter with the help of the warm home discount.
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: “We are determined to support households cuts their bills and reduce fuel poverty.
“The £150 Warm Home Discount scheme for this winter will launch in October and we expect it support three million households.”
The scheme is paid to those on the lowest incomes and designed to cover the additional costs of heating over the colder months.
Households in England and Wales don’t have to apply to get the cash and receive it automatically.
However, some Scottish households do have to apply for the discount.
Eligible households get £150 credited to their electricity bill between October and March 2024.
To qualify you’ll usually need to be actively claiming one of a number of means-tested benefits during the qualifying week – which is usally in August.
However, if you later launch a successful claim for backdated benefits, you may still be able to qualify after this date and once it’s confirmed.
QUALIFYING FOR THE CASH
To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you need to claim either 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
- The “Savings Credit” part of pension credit
Where someone claims a qualifying benefit, the government will assess their energy costs based on the type, age and size of property.
This means that you may not be considered eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you live in a more energy-efficient property for instance, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.
However, this rule doesn’t apply to recipients of the guarantee credit portion of pension credit.
Around 800,000 pensioners are eligible for pension credit but not claiming it.
As well as missing out on a £300 winter fuel payments, they won’t get the £150 Warm Home Discount payment.
What is pension credit and how do I apply?
PENSION credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you have a partner.
This is known as “guarantee credit”.
If your income is lower than this, you’re very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
However, if your income is slightly higher, you might still be eligible for pension credit if you have a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or you have housing costs.
You could get an extra £81.50 a week if you have a disability or claim any of the following:
- Attendance allowance
- The middle or highest rate from the care component of disability living allowance (DLA)
- The daily living component of personal independence payment (PIP)
- Armed forces independence payment
- The daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) at the standard or enhanced rate.
ou could get the “savings credit” part of pension credit if both of the following apply:
- You reached State Pension age before April 6, 2016
- You saved some money for retirement, for example, a personal or workplace pension
This part of pension credit is worth £17.01 for single people or £19.04 for couples.
Pension credit opens the door to other support, including housing benefits, cost of living payments, council tax reductions, the winter fuel payment and the Warm Home Discount.
You can start your application up to four months before you reach state pension age.
MOST DON’T NEED TO APPLY
Households in England and Wales will get a letter between October 2024 and early January 2025 telling you:
- You’re eligible and you’ll get the discount automatically; or
- You might be eligible, and you need to give more information.
- The letter will tell you to call the helpline by 29 February 2024 to confirm your details.
letter between October 2023 and early January 2024 telling you:
- You’re eligible and you’ll get the discount automatically; or
- You might be eligible, and you need to give more information. The letter will tell you to call the helpline by 29 February 2024 to confirm your details.
If you don’t get the letter by early January 2024 and you think you’re eligible, you need to call the helpline on 0800 030 9322.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2025.
SOME SCOTTISH HOUSEHOLDS NEED TO APPLY
In Scotland there’s a “core group” that’ll receive an automatic payment and a “broader group” which has to apply for the scheme with their energy provider.
You’ll need to check with your energy supplier directly to see the eligibility requirements and details on how to apply.
The scheme will have more applicants than places, so make sure you apply as soon as possible.
What energy bill help is available?
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.