Over 190,000 Brits are at risk of missing out on a free £150 discount on their energy bills this winter. The discount is part of the government’s Warm Home Discount scheme.
Administered by the Department for Energy and Net Zero, the scheme provides households claiming certain government benefits with a £150 discount on their electricity bills between October and March each year. This year’s scheme kicked off on October 14, with eligible households starting to receive letters informing them of their eligibility. However, the method of receiving the discount varies depending on your meter and how you pay for your energy.
The money is credited directly into the energy account – not into your bank account – by the supplier if you are paying by direct debit or on receipt of bill. Those with smart prepayment meters also have the discount applied automatically.
However, households with older, traditional prepayment meters that require a key or card for top-ups cannot receive the discount directly. Instead, they are issued vouchers to redeem at their local top-up point, reports the Mirror.
As reported by The Sun, the Post Office has been issuing these vouchers on behalf of British Gas, E. ON Next, Ovo Energy, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, and Good Energy since October 21. Since the scheme’s inception, approximately 190,000 Warm Home Discounts letters have been sent out, totalling a combined value of £28.5 million.
The money is credited directly into the energy account
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Kevin Elson, postmaster at Bache Post Office, highlighted the significant impact of energy costs, telling the publication: “We know many people are worried about the cost of their energy bills as the colder weather starts to set in. £150 can make a big difference, especially to people who are on pay-as-you-go meter. That’s why postmasters, like me, and our teams stand ready to help and ensure that people can easily redeem their vouchers.”
Each notification letter will specify a deadline for claiming the £150 voucher; the time frame usually spans from 30 to 90 days after it’s issued, with the exact cut-off date detailed in your letter. If you find yourself with a lost or expired voucher, reach out to your energy supplier to get a new one.
When it’s time to claim your discount at your local post office branch, make sure to take along your voucher and some ID your driving licence or passport will doas well as your utility bill. It’s important that all these documents match the name on your letter, which will advise you precisely what materials to bring.
In situations where someone else is assisting you with the voucher redemption, they’ll need to carry both your ID and utility bill, plus their identification. The Post Office staff will process the discount by scanning the barcode on your voucher or inputting its code manually, and thereafter apply the £150 directly onto your prepayment energy meter key or card.
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