DWP to send out letter about bonus £150 payment for winter energy bills
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to post out information regarding the eligibility for an energy assistance package valued at £150 from next month.
The money is part of the Warm Home Discount initiative - different from the Winter Fuel Payment. The scheme is due to start again in October.
READ MORE: This small thermostat change could save you hundreds on heating this winter
If you haven't received your Warm Home Discount letter by early January, you can call the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322. The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.
Those qualifying for the scheme will see £150 deducted from their electricity bill, as opposed to receiving a direct bank transfer. For most, this discount should automatically be applied from October through March, although some individuals might need to apply.
Customers with traditional prepayment meters, which differ from smart prepayment meters, will get a top-up voucher that must be claimed. Dual fuel customers may inquire about having this concession applied to their gas expenses instead, reports The Mirror.
To check if you're eligible, you should first see if your energy supplier is signed up to the Warm Home Discount scheme.
Which energy companies are taking part in the Warm Home Discount?
Check here if your supplier is taking part:
100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
Boost
British Gas
Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy
E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
Ecotricity
E.ON Next
EDF
Good Energy
London Power
Octopus Energy
Outfox the Market
OVO
Rebel Energy
Sainsbury’s Energy
Scottish Gas – see British Gas
ScottishPower
Shell Energy Retail
So Energy
Tomato Energy
TruEnergy
Utilita
Utility Warehouse
Which benefits mean you are eligible?
If your supplier is on this list, you should get the payment automatically if you, or your partner, receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit - this is known as "core group one". You, or your partner, need to have been claiming Pension Credit on the qualifying date, which for this winter was August 11.
Additionally, in England and Wales, you might be entitled to receive this discount automatically if you're on specific benefits coupled with high energy costs. The benefits that make you eligible for the Warm Home Discount scheme in these regions include:
Housing Benefit
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
"Savings Credit" part of Pension Credit
Universal Credit
You could also qualify if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you get:
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit
You can check if you're eligible to receive the discount using the GOV.UK Warm Home Discount online tool.