British Gas, OVO, EON, Octopus customers have just days to secure free £150
There are just days left for households to apply for key benefit and lock-in a £150 Warm Home Discount. The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) is handing out free £150 payments that are automatic - but you must be eligible.
British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus customers are among those who are eligible. The Labour Party government will issue letters to households that qualify for the scheme and to be eligible for the discount, you must have claimed one of nine means-tested benefits on a specific date in August.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which administers the £150 Warm Home Discount, says households must have had an active claim for any of the following benefits on Sunday, August 11: guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit, income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or child or working tax credits.
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The "Savings Credit" part of Pension Credit is also included. Even if you weren't claiming Pension Credit - which is worth £3,900 - on the qualifying date of August 11, a backdating method can ensure you are due the cash even after the deadline.
Successful pension credit claims can be backdated by three months. You'll need to launch your claim by Sunday, November 10 and then successfully get it backdated to cover the August 11 Warm Home Discount qualifying date, the DWP rules stipulate.
Households in England and Wales will get a letter between October 2024 and early January 2025 telling you that you're eligible and you'll get the discount automatically, 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, the DWP has explained ahead of the letters being sent out.