Monday, 17 December 2012

Warm Home Discount Scheme



Warm Home Discount Scheme

If you are a pensioner or are classed as a vulnerable customer, you may be entitled to extra help with your gas and electricity bills during the winter months, including the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
This page explains what the Warm Home Discount Scheme is, who is eligible, and how to claim it.

Top tips

If you’re not a pensioner on a low income, you may still be eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Each energy supplier has different criteria, so contact your supplier to check whether you’re eligible.

What is the Warm Home Discount Scheme?

If you are on a low income, you may qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme. This gives a rebate to pensioners on low incomes and some other customers on low incomes. The rebate is £130 on your electricity bill for winter 2012 -2013. The Warm Home Discount Scheme will run each winter until 2014/15.
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is run by energy companies, who are required by law to offer this rebate.

Who qualifies for a Warm Home Discount?

In 2012-2013 if you are a pensioner on 21 July 2012, you can qualify for a Warm Home Discount if you are either:
  • under 80 and only get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit – not the Savings Credit part
  • 80 or over and get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit - even if you also get the Savings Credit part.
Your name or your partner’s name must be on your electricity bill, and your energy company must be taking part in the Warm Home Discount scheme.
More information on energy suppliers taking part in the Warm Home Discount Scheme from the Department for Energy and Climate Change website at www.decc.gov.uk.

If you are on a low income

If you are on a low income, it will be up to your supplier to decide whether you can get the Warm Home Discount. You may be eligible if you're on a low income and you have a disability or long-term illness, or children. The actual criteria used will vary depending on your supplier.
You can check your supplier's criteria on the Consumer Focus website at www.consumerfocus.org.uk.

How to claim a Warm Home Discount

If you are a pensioner eligible for the Warm Home Discount, the Department for Work and Pensions will try to make sure you get this discount automatically. If you are missed out, you can ask for the discount directly from your supplier.
If you are on a low income,  you will need to contact your energy supplier for details of whether you are eligible. If you believe you are eligible, you will then need to apply directly to your supplier.
More information on applying to your energy supplier for the Warm Home Discount from the Department for Energy and Climate Change website at www.decc.gov.uk

If you’re on a social tariff

Some customers may qualify for their supplier’s social tariff. This might apply to you if you are on a low income, are disabled or have long-term health problems. The Warm Home Discount is intended to replace the different social tariffs offered by different providers.
If you are on a social tariff, your supplier will contact you soon to inform you that the tariff is being phased out. You may be offered a Warm Home Discount instead.
However, some customers who now qualify for a social tariff may not qualify for help under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. There will also be some customers who find that the discount under the new scheme is less than the social tariff discount they are getting now. Some additional help might be available to make up for this shortfall.
Contact your supplier for further information.

Next steps

More information about extra help with energy if you’re older, disabled or on a low income.
If you need more help

More information

The Home Heat Helpline

The Home Heat Helpline is a service for vulnerable customers struggling to pay their bills. It is funded by the energy suppliers, and provides information on grants, payment schemes and benefits that may be available as well as basic advice about energy efficiency.
Telephone: 0800 336699 (freephone)
Website: www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

The Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust has a searchable database of grants and schemes, along with an online home energy check to find out where you could make savings on your bills. You can also contact your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre for help:
Telephone: 0800 512 012 (freephone)
Website: www.est.org.uk
Source:
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/consumer_w/consumer_energy_and_water_supply_e/consumer_energy_supply_e/consumer_help_if_youre_older_disabled_or_on_a_low_income_e/warm_home_discount_scheme.htm
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