gov.uk Warm Home Discount Scheme : Government of United Kingdom

Name of the Organization : Government of United Kingdom
Type of Facility : Warm Home Discount Scheme
Country : United Kingdom

Website : https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/what-youll-get

Warm Home Discount Scheme :

1. What you’ll get :
** For winter 2015 to 2016, you could get £140 off your electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

Related : Government of United Kingdom Residential Support Scheme : www.statusin.org/24480.html

** The money isn’t paid to you – it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, usually between September and March.
** The discount won’t affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.

Pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meters :
** You can also 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, eg a voucher you can use to top up your meter.

2. Eligibility :
You qualify for the discount if on 12 July 2015 all of the following apply :
** your electricity supplier was part of the scheme
** your name (or your partner’s) was on the bill
** you were getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Credit as well)

If you don’t qualify :
** You may be able to apply directly to your electricity supplier for help if you don’t get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit but –
** you’re on a low income
** you get certain means-tested benefits
** Check with your supplier to see if you’re eligible and how to apply.

Electricity suppliers :
The following suppliers are part of the scheme :
** Atlantic
** British Gas
** Co-operative energy
** EDF Energy
** E.ON
** Equipower (Ebico)
** Equigas (Ebico)
** First Utility
** Manweb – see ScottishPower
** M&S Energy
** npower
** OVO
** Sainsbury’s Energy – see British Gas
** Scottish Gas – see British Gas
** Scottish Hydro
** ScottishPower
** Southern Electric
** SSE
** SWALEC
** Utilita
** Utility Warehouse (PDF, 213KB)

If you don’t qualify for the discount :
** You may be able to apply directly to your electricity supplier for help if you don’t qualify because you don’t get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

Pension Credit :
Eligibility :
To qualify for Guarantee Credit :
** you must live in Great Britain
** you or your partner must have reached Pension Credit qualifying age
** The qualifying age for Pension Credit is gradually going up to 66 in line with the increase in the State Pension age for women to 65 and the further increase to 66 for men and women.

Savings Credit :
** To qualify for the extra Savings Credit you or your partner must be 65 or over.
** You’re treated as a couple if you live with your husband, wife or partner. You don’t have to be married or in a civil partnership.
** You can still apply for Savings Credit on or after 6 April 2016 if you reach State Pension age before that date.

If you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 :
** Most people who reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 won’t be eligible for Savings Credit.

But you may continue to get Savings Credit if both of the following apply :
** you’re in a couple and one of you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016
** you were getting Savings Credit up to 6 April 2016
** If you stop being eligible for Savings Credit for any reason from 6 April 2016, you won’t be able to get it again.

Working out your income :
** When you apply for Pension Credit your income is worked out.
This includes :
** State Pension
** other pensions
** most social security benefits, eg Carer’s Allowance
** savings, investments over £10,000 – for these £1 is counted for every £500 or part £500
** earnings

The calculation doesn’t include :
** Attendance Allowance
** Christmas Bonus
** Disability Living Allowance
** Personal Independence Payment
** Housing Benefit
** Council Tax Reduction

How to claim :
If you qualify for the discount, you’ll get a letter this autumn or winter telling you either :
** you don’t have to apply – you’ll get the discount automatically
** to apply by 29 January 2016 – the letter will tell you why and how
** You’ll receive your letter by 24 December at the latest.

If you don’t get a letter :
** Contact the Warm Home Discount Team if you don’t get a letter but believe you qualify.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
Telephone – 0345 603 9439
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
Find out about call charges

Address :
Warm Home Discount Team
Pink Zone, 1st Floor
Peel Park
Brunel Way
Blackpool
FY4 5ES