04 December 2023 , 12:51
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A whole host of energy suppliers are giving households a £150 discount on their electricity bills this winter.
The discount is being given through the Government's Warm Home Discount scheme. This scheme gives households claiming certain Government benefits the £150 discount on their electricity bills between October and March each year.
The money is paid directly into the energy account - rather than into someone's bank account - by the supplier. If you're on a traditional prepay meter, you will usually be sent a top-up voucher - smart prepayments will have it applied automatically.
This year's Warm Home Discount scheme opened on October 16 and those eligible are being informed on when they will receive the discount from their supplier. Most people living in England and Wales will not need to make an application for the help, but some in Scotland will need to apply.
You should get the £150 discount automatically if you, or your partner, receive the Guarantee Credit portion of the benefit Pension Credit - this is known as “core group one” in England and Wales and "core group" in Scotland.
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You may also automatically get the Warm Home Discount if you are on a low income, claiming certain benefits and have high energy costs. This is known as being in the "core group two" if you live in England and Wales. If you live in Scotland and you claim certain benefits, you will likely need to apply.
The qualifying benefits include Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credits etc. You can find the full list of qualifying benefits on the Government's website here. To be eligible, you will need to have been claiming a qualifying benefit on August 13.
If you don't get a letter from your supplier, and you think you're eligible, you can call the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 107 8002. However, it's important to know that not all energy providers are part of the scheme so if your circumstances qualify but your supplier is not signed up then you will not receive the £150 discount.
According to the Government's website, the following suppliers are taking part in this year's Warm Home Discount scheme:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy
- Atlantic
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy
- Co-op Energy
- E
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Good Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO
- Rebel Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas
- Scottish Hydro
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Southern Electric
- SSE Energy Services
- Swalec
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse