The Government has extended the Warm Home Discount to 200,000 extra pensioners.
The subsidy, which helps vulnerable and low income households with their energy bills, is now being offered to everyone in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee .
In addition, hundreds of thousands of the poorest working age people will also qualify.
In total more than 2 million will be eligible to receive the subsidy this winter, twice as many as when the scheme first launched in 2011.
A bigger discount
As well as opening up the scheme to more people, the Government has also increased the level of discount for another year.
For 2014/15 the Warm Home Discount will amount to £140.
The Warm Home Discount does not affect any Winter Fuel Allowance, Cold Weather Payments or other benefits that an individual or household may receive.
The discount is applied to a household’s electricity bill usually between October and March. Pre-pay or pay as you go customers get a voucher to use to top up.
Pensions Minister Steve Webb said the move was designed "to give people peace of mind that they can keep their homes comfortable throughout the coldest months”.
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How to get it
The Warm Home Discount is funded by participating energy companies and are available to customers of these suppliers.
These include the ‘Big Six’ energy companies, which collectively account for over 90% of the domestic market, as well as some other smaller suppliers.
Participating suppliers include: Atlantic, British Gas, Co-operative Energy, EDF Energy, E.ON, Equipower (Ebico), Equigas (Ebico), First Utility, Manweb, M&S Energy, npower, Sainsbury’s Energy, Scottish Gas, Scottish Hydro, Scottish Power, Southern Electric, SSE, SWALEC and Utility Warehouse.
You’ll qualify for the discount if on 12th July 2014 your supplier was part of the scheme, your name (or your partner’s name) was on your energy bill and you were getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.
If you are eligible for the discount you’ll get a letter telling saying you'll get the discount automatically or how to apply. You should receive the letter by 24th December.
If you don’t receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit you may still be eligible as some suppliers offer the discount to a ‘broader group’ of vulnerable people. You should check with your supplier to see if you meet the criteria.
Households that use pre-payment meters or pay as you go electricity meters could also qualify for the discount.
For more information visit the Government website.
Help with energy bills
If you don’t qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme but are struggling with your bills take a look at our guide Where to get help with paying your energy bills.
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