Warm Home Scheme/help With Power Bills Over Winter

[murraymints]

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

a reminder that this little known or advertised help with power over the winter months is available and applications will be taken very soon..if not now ...if you are on certain benefits/pension credits/low income.. it is worth a look...

[emmie]

i have already submitted my form through EDF, it's worth doing that's for sure. Not a lot of people seem to know of it's existence, but i have had this for at least a couple of years, and its very very helpful.

[murraymints]

every little helps emmie..and it is there but for answering very few eligibility checks....not widely advertised..I apply for all my elderly neighbours on line...they appreciate it and it does not affect your winter fuel allowance at all..you will still get that full rate as well...

[murraymints]

was £140 last year...!!

[emmie]

that seems about right, that suffices for a few months, especially through the winter months..

[nailit]

A bit confused here about applying? Do you have to wait until your supplier writes to you about it?
From the website...

//How to apply
You’ll receive a letter by 7 December 2018 telling you how to get the discount if you qualify.
Your letter will say if you need to call a helpline by 28 February 2019 to confirm your details//

Also from the website...

//it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between September and March.//


So if its between September and March why wait until December before sending the letter out?

Thanks.

[Mamyalynne]

This is the section for thosse on low income and certain means tested benefits.
https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/low-income

[nailit]

Thanks Mamy, so do I need to contact my energy supplier asap?

[Mamyalynne]

I would Nailit in the first instance, yes.

[nailit]

Thank you. Just a bit confused about
//You’ll receive a letter by 7 December 2018 telling you how to get the discount if you qualify.
Your letter will say if you need to call a helpline by 28 February 2019 to confirm your details//
If it runs from September why wait until December and who sends the letter out because my energy supplier doent know if im elegible or not?

[Mamyalynne]

Isn't that is the section...

//If you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit//

Different rules and ways may apply depending on who is claiming.

Find out if your supplier is in the scheme first, if you qualify and if they have any allocations left for this year.

[nailit]

Thanks again Mamy, Im a bit dim when it comes to things like this (well, Im just a bit dim full stop...) Im with NPower who are in the scheme. Will give them a bell.

[Mamyalynne]

You're not dim, it can look more complicated sometimes - check with them and see how you go.

[nailit]

Actually just rang the warm home discount scheme number first and it says that lines are closed until the 15th October. So googled this
https://selectra.co.uk/utilities/npower/warm-home-discount
and it says
//All application lines for the Npower Warm Home Discount are currently closed, whether that be online or by paper application form//
So looks like Ill have to wait another week or so before applying.
£140 would be a massive saving for me if eligible :-)

[Ken4155]

I've been in receipt of this £140 credit for about 6 years, now. It was supposed to last just the 5 years but was extended, i think, for at least another two years. During those 6 years, the payments have been made to me anytime between Jan and March. So, if you've had it confirmed that you qualify, don't worry if you don't actually receive it for a while.

[murraymints]

It is credited to your supply account...all providers come live at slightly different times..phone again soon nailit or go to your supplier's web site for info

[rowanwitch]

Also if you have water from Severn Trent they have a scheme called the big difference. Anyone who they supply can apply as eligibility is based on income versus expenditure. Contact the Severn Trent Trust not the parent company.