The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be sending letters to millions of households this October regarding help with winter energy bills. With the Warm Home Discount, low-earning pensioners and households will get a £150 reduction on their bills.
People can apply for the Warm Home Discount at any time between October and March. The DWP will be reaching out to people who qualify for the support in the next few weeks, reports BirminghamLive.
The letters will provide additional information regarding the one-off discount scheme and what can be expected from it. The reduction will apply directly on bills rather than taking the form of a payment, it can alternatively be sent in the form of vouchers. It should be issued automatically for most people.
Pensioners on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit will also receive it, together with low earning households who struggle with their energy bills. The Age UK charity explained: “The Warm Home Discount is a one-off payment of £150 to help with the cost of energy during the winter. It’s designed to make things a bit easier if you’re living on a low income or pension.
“If your electricity supplier is part of the Warm Home Discount scheme then you don’t need to apply for it – you’ll get the payment automatically if you or your partner receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit, or another qualifying benefit, and have high energy costs. Getting a Warm Home Discount doesn’t affect your entitlement to a Winter Fuel Payment or the Cold Weather Payment.”
It also added that the majority of eligible households will get the Warm Home Discount automatically. If you qualify, you’re likely to receive a letter informing you about the discount. Your electricity supplier will then automatically apply the reduction to your energy bill by the end of March.
“This is different from previous years when you had to claim the money from your supplier if you weren’t claiming the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit.”
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