Are you eligible for the Warm Home Discount?

Your electricity supplier may have signed up to the Warm Homes Discount Scheme which offers a one-off discount of £140 (for the Winter period 2014-2015) on your electricity bill.

Who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount

You qualify for this scheme if on the ‘qualifying day’ (12 July 2014):

• your supplier was part of the scheme, and
• your or your partner’s name was on the bill, and
• you fit into either the:
  • Core group: If you are receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you also get the Savings Credit), you should be automatically considered for the Warm Home Discount
  • Broader group: The criteria for inclusion depends on the supplier but you may be eligible if you are in receipt of certain benefits; your annual income is below a certain amount and you are spending more than 10% of it on fuel; or you have a disability or illness.

How is the Warm Home Discount paid?

If you qualify, the Warm Home Discount will appear as a credit on your electricity bill sometime between October 2014 and March 2015. If you use a pre-pay or 'pay as you go' electricity meter, it may be paid to you through a top-up voucher but check with your supplier.

Find out more about the Warm Home Discount

You need to contact your supplier to find out if you qualify and how to apply.

Some suppliers may not be accepting further applications for Winter 2014-2015 but, if this is the case with yours, you can still register your interest for next year's scheme Winter 2015-2016.

The Warm Home Discount and effect on other benefits that help with energy costs

Getting the Warm Home Discount does not affect your eligibility for Cold Weather Payments or Winter Fuel Payments.

More information on the Warm Home Discount

See the Gov.UK website information on the Warm Home Discount (link opens in a new window). This includes a list of suppliers that have signed up to the initiative with links to their websites.

Other schemes to help with energy costs and grants for energy efficiency

There are other schemes that can help people on low incomes with energy and water bills.  See the Turn2us Energy costs information.

You may also be eligible for a grant to improve the energy efficiency of your home.  See the Turn2us Grants for Energy Efficiency information.

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Date of publication: 15 January 2015