Just weeks left to act on DWP loophole and be handed free £150 payment
There are just weeks left to act on a Pension Credit Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) loophole and bag an extra £150 towards energy bills this winter. The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is a reduction on your electricity and sometimes gas applied by energy firms once a year.
The £150 reduction is also available to thousands on Pension Credit. To qualify, you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of pension credit or one of either Income Support, income based jobseeker's allowance, income related employment and support allowance or Housing Benefit.
Universal Credit, Child tax credit, Working tax credits and the "savings credit" part of pension credit complete the list. You can backdate pension credit claims by up to three months, meaning you will have to launch your pension credit claim by the end of Sunday, November 10, and then successfully backdate it to cover the August 11 Warm Home Discount qualifying date.
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The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you. You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible.
You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out. If you're worried about rising energy costs, then it's a good idea to check you're claiming all the benefits you're entitled to – claiming certain benefits can make you eligible for the Warm Home Discount.
You can also ask your local council about its Household Support Fund if you need help to cover the cost of food, clothing or utilities. Age UK said: "We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs."