Warm Home Discount: £140 Free Electric (For Those Who Qualify)

It's coming up to that time of year again when you can apply for the warm home discount.

For those who haven't had it before there's a bit of information below. I'm with the Hydro electric (SSE) and get it automatically but I still like to put my application in anyway just to make sure. They are taking applications now but it seems for some of other companies that it will be the 15th of October, however you should still be able to register your interest, providing you meet the qualifying criteria. This payment has helped us out for the last 6 years and is a lifesaver at that time of year

Here's how to see if you qualify and how to apply

You could get £140 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between September and March.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity. Contact your supplier to find out.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2017 to 2018 closed on 31 March 2018. The 2018 to 2019 scheme will start on 15 October 2018.

The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

Eligibility

There are 2 ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme:

you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the ‘core group’

you’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme - known as the ‘broader group’

How you apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depends on how you qualify for the discount.

Pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meters

You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter.

Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter