Older people are getting financial support to help them pay their energy bills over winter. Those on low incomes who get certain benefits qualify for the Warm Home Discount.
This knocks £150 off energy bills one time only during winter, helping some of the most vulnerable people to save money during the cold winter months. It is given to pensioners – those aged 66 and over, born before 1958 or 1959, on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit as well as other adults on low incomes who have high energy costs.
Some households may have already received their Warm Home Discount. It can be applied at any time between October and March depending on when energy suppliers decide to do it. It should happen automatically for most people.
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The discount is not given out as a cash payment but added as credit to energy accounts or issued as a top-up voucher. This is to ensure the support directly cuts energy bills rather than being spent on something else.
The charity Age UK explained: “The Warm Home Discount is a one-off payment of £150 to help with the cost of energy during the winter. It’s designed to make things a bit easier if you’re living on a low income or pension.
“If your electricity supplier is part of the Warm Home Discount scheme then you don’t need to apply for it – you’ll get the payment automatically if you or your partner receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit, or another qualifying benefit, and have high energy costs. The money won’t be paid to you directly – it’ll be added as credit to your electricity account. This usually happens between October and March.”