The DWP is reminding those on eligible means-tested benefits to check they are named on their electricity bill to get £150 off this winter.
An extra 2.7 million households will qualify this winter – but their name must be on the bill to qualify automatically.
These are the main means-tested DWP benefits:
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit)
- Universal Credit
In England and Wales, this means households in receipt of Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit and Universal Credit will now be eligible.
If you live in Scotland, are receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and are named on your electricity bill (or your partner or legal representative is), you will likely receive the Warm Home Discount automatically.
Scottish households in receipt of other means-tested benefits will need to apply for the discount via their energy supplier directly from October. Application windows will vary depending on the supplier.
There’s more information available on Gov.uk
This takes the number of households set to benefit from the Warm Home Discount to over six million – an increase of 2.7 million households, including 900,000 more families with children.
Someone might not be named on their electricity bill if they have recently moved house and changed supplier.
Having the eligible person named on the electricity bill will help make sure households receive the £150 discount automatically.
Last winter, 96% of eligible households received their discount automatically through this route, making it the easiest and quickest way for the overwhelming majority of households.
Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh says: “We took decisive action earlier this year to expand the Warm Home Discount, giving more working families certainty and peace of mind before winter.
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“I now want to make sure as many eligible households as possible get £150 off their energy bill, putting more money in their pockets as part of our Plan for Change.
“If you know someone who might be eligible – please start spreading the word to family and friends, encouraging them to check they are named on their energy bill.”
Eligible customers on pre-payment meters who use a key or card to top up will also need to ensure that their household’s account is registered in their name.
