Millions of households to get £150 help with energy bills this winter

People on certain benefits, who are with certain energy suppliers, will automatically get £150 off their energy bills this winter

Millions of households will get a £150 boost this winter.

Energy supplier Octopus Energy will discount energy bills for 5.3 million customers via the Warm Home Discount, after it was announced the company is taking part in the scheme.

And it's not just Octopus Energy customers who will qualify for this discount. British Gas and Ovo Energy have also signed up and dozens more suppliers are expected to take part.

Customers who qualify will receive a credit of £150 towards their energy bills before 31 March 2024.

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What is the Warm Home Discount scheme?

Under the scheme, if you are in receipt of certain benefits, you might be entitled to a one-off £150 discount on your energy bills this winter.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2023 to 2024 opens on 16 October 2023.

The money is not paid to you – it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2022 and March 2023.

If you qualify, the DWP will make a direct payment to your electricity energy supplier to cut the cost of your bills. In some circumstances this can also apply to gas suppliers.

A spokesperson for the Government said: 'You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

'The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2022 and March 2023.

'You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible.

'Contact your supplier to find out.'

How will I know if I'm eligible?

Households will receive a letter in the post over the coming weeks from the Government confirming their eligibility.

The official advice from the Government on who is eligible for the discount points out that it depends on where you live, and what benefits you are already receiving.

There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depending on where you live.

If you live in England and Wales

You qualify if you either:

• get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• are on a low income and have high energy costs

If you live in Scotland

You qualify if you either:

• get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme

The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.

Is there a qualifying period?

Yes.

If you weren't claiming any of these benefits on 13 August 2023, you won't be eligible for the payment.

Can I get the discount if I'm on a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meter?

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 you may be given a voucher you can use to top up your meter.

Do I need to apply?

There are 2 Warm Home Discount schemes – 1 for England and Wales, and 1 for Scotland.

Those living in England and Wales do not need to apply for the scheme, but those living in Scotland do.

In England, you get the payment automatically if your electricity supplier is part of the scheme and you qualify.

Energy regulator Ofgem says some people may be asked to contact a Government helpline to confirm their eligibility.

If you have not received a letter by the middle of January 2024, but you think you should be eligible for a rebate, contact the WHD helpline on 0800 030 9322.

How do I secure the discount in Scotland?

The Scottish Government has not changed its Warm Home Discount scheme to bring it in line with England and Wales' application-free scheme.

Households in Scotland will have to follow the rules set out in the legacy scheme.

This means there is still a 'core group' that will receive an automatic payment and a 'broader group' who'll have to apply for the scheme with their energy provider.

Will accepting the payment affect other benefits?

No. And the Government states that the discount will not affect Cold Weather Payments or Winter Fuel Payment, either, if you are eligible for, and receive, those.

Which energy providers are signed up for the scheme?

As the scheme has not yet opened for 2023/4, the list is not available, however, these are the providers who were part of the scheme last year:

• Affect Energy –  Octopus Energy
• Atlantic – see SSE
• Boost
• British Gas
• British Gas Evolve (formerly British Gas X) - see British Gas
• Bulb Energy
• Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy
• E (Gas and Electricity)
• Ecotricity
• E.ON
• E.ON Next
• EDF
• GEUK (Green Energy UK) - if you live in Scotland, you must be in the ‘core group’ to be eligible
• Good Energy
• London Power
• M&S Energy
• Nabuh Energy - see British Gas
• Octopus Energy
• Outfox the Market
• OVO
• Rebel Energy - if you live in Scotland, you must be in the ‘core group’ to be eligible
• Sainsbury’s Energy
• Scottish Gas – see British Gas
• Scottish Hydro – see SSE
• ScottishPower
• Shell Energy Retail
• So Energy
• Southern Electric – see SSE
• SSE
• Swalec – see SSE
• Utilita
• Utility Warehouse

How will I receive the discount from Octopus Energy?

If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill, the Warm Home Discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit.

If you have a traditional prepayment meter, Octopus Energy will send you a voucher you can use to top up your meter at your local PayPoint kiosk.

If you've got a smart prepayment meter, Octopus will send the discount directly to your meter as a credit.

What other help is there for struggling families?

Low-income families may also be eligible for the Household Support Fund – a sum of money given to local councils to distribute to residents who need it most.

Some councils have provided families with cash payments, others have used the money to give out free school meals during school holiday.

View our guide to see what's available in different areas of the country here or contact your local council for further details.

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