Thousands could miss out on free £150 off energy bills if they ignore a letter over the Warm Home Discount scheme. The WHD scheme from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) will hand UK households eligible an “automatic” £150 discount on their bills.
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.
Between October and December, the government issued letters to over three million households eligible for the scheme. These will have told you that you’re eligible and you’ll get the discount automatically or you might be eligible, and you need to give more information.
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It may also say you can call the helpline by February 29, 2024 to confirm your details. To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit or a different qualifying benefit form.
The qualifying benefits include Income Support, income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance and Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, child tax credit, working tax credits and the “savings credit” part of Pension Credit.
If you weren’t claiming any of the above benefits on August 11, 2024, you won’t be eligible for the payment. Where someone claims a qualifying benefit, the government will assess their energy costs based on the type, age and size of property.
It means that you may not be considered eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you live in a more energy-efficient property for instance, even if you receive a qualifying benefit. If you haven’t received a letter confirming your eligibility for the scheme by the middle of January 2025, but believe you qualify, you should contact the helpline on 0800 030 9322.