Millions of people to get £150 Warm Home Discount payments within days

25 September 2023 , 15:02

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Soon people will be getting £150 off their energy bills (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

With money being tight right now for many, people will be happy to hear that Warm Home Discount Payments for 2023 will start being applied within days. This is a one-off payment to help with the cost of energy during the winter. Soon a variety of eligible households will be reminded about when they can expect the cash boost.

Under the scheme, certain pensioners and low-income households will get £150 off their energy bills this winter to help them cope with payments. Some energy users may begin to see savings right away because the discounts will be put into effect between October of this year and March 2024.

Instead of the money being paid directly into people's bank accounts, the funds will be added as credit to electricity or gas accounts. If you use a prepayment meter, you'll most likely be given a top-up voucher. However in order to be eligible, there are a few things customers have to do first. They must either receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit or be on other benefits such as the Savings Credit portion of Pension Credit, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit if you have high energy costs. You can find out more information here.

The Warm Home Discount was created to provide assistance to persons with low incomes and those who reside in older, cooler homes, such as those with inadequate insulation. The government will determine the cost of energy based on the type, age, and size of the property for all applicants who are not on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

"The Warm Home Discount is a one-off payment to reduce certain customers' energy bills over the winter months. If your electricity supplier is part of the Warm Home Discount scheme, then you'll get the payment automatically if you or your partner receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit," it says on the Age UK website.

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"One of you must be named on your bill. Alternatively, if you're in receipt of another 'qualifying benefit' and are considered to have high energy costs, then you'll also receive an automatic payment. Either way, you should receive the discount automatically if you're eligible, so you don't need to apply for it."

It adds: "If you're eligible for Warm Home Discount, you'll get £150 off your bills in winter. The money won't be paid to you directly – it'll be added as credit to your electricity account. This usually happens between October and March. If you use a prepayment meter, you'll probably be given a top-up voucher."

Billie Schwab Dunn