What is the Warm Home Discount?
It is a government scheme that helps people with the payment of their electricity bills. It’s an annual one-off discount that energy suppliers provide between October and March.
Do I qualify for the scheme?
There are two ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme. If you already get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or if you are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.
Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
Having this element of the pension credit puts you in what is known as the ‘core group’.
To qualify for the discount there are three things that need to be in place:
- your energy supplier needs to be part of the scheme
- your name (or your partner’s name) is on your bill
- you are getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (this is even if you’re getting the Savings Credit as well)
How do I apply?
You’ll receive a letter between October and December 2019 telling you how to get the discount if you qualify.
If you did not get a letter or if you’ve switched energy supplier you will need to contact the Warm Home Discount Team before February. Once your application has been processed, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by the end of March.
Contact the Warm Home Discount team on:
Telephone: 0800 731 0214 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm)
If you’re on a low income
This is known as being in the ‘broader group’. You may be able to apply directly to your electricity supplier for help if you do not get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit but:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- you’re on a low income
- you have certain means-tested benefits
You’ll need to stay with your supplier until it’s paid to get the discount.
How do I apply?
Your electricity supplier decides who can get the discount – check with your supplier to see if you’re eligible and how to apply.
The quantity of discounts provided can be limited depending on the supplier, therefore it’s best to check with your supplier as soon as possible.
Your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by the end of March.
Who provides the Warm Home Discount?
Look After My Bills and the Warm Home Discount
Our mission at Look After My Bills is to save people money on their gas and electricity bills. You can choose to only switch to suppliers that provide the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Similarly to when you switch supplier yourself, you will need to apply for the scheme directly with your new supplier.
Look After My Bills manage energy switching for you, so you don’t have to lift a finger! So you’ll always be on a great energy deal and get the Warm Home Discount too!
