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People receiving means-tested benefits must
be named on their energy bill by 23 August to
receive the £150 Warm Home Discount
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Around six million households will get
the rebate this winter, including
around 250,000 automatically for the first
time in Scotland
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Reminder follows immediate action to remove VAT from
electricity bills from 1 October, giving people breathing
space on the cost-of-living
Millions are set to save £150 on energy bills this
winter, as government urges eligible households to check they are
named on their bill to get
the Warm Home Discount automatically.
Every household where the billpayer is on means-tested
benefits is in line for the rebate, following
the expansion of the scheme last year.
This meant nearly a million additional families
with children received extra support with the
cost-of-living last winter, with around six million
households across Britain eligible for the
discount.
In England and Wales, households in receipt of Housing Benefit,
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit
and Universal Credit will be eligible the same cohort as last
winter.
This follows the immediate action taken by the Prime
Minister to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1
October, as one of his first decisions in office,
saving £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap.
Energy Secretary said:
Families will be worried about their energy bills this winter and our focus is
on giving them breathing space, as
we continue to work to
bring down bills.
Almost a million more families with children received the £150
Warm Home Discount last winter, after we
expanded scheme.
If you know someone who might benefit, please start spreading the
word and encourage them to check they are named on their energy
bill.
The government is issuing a call to eligible households to check
they are named on their electricity bill, with suppliers set to
rely on customers' records as of Sunday 23 August.
Someone might not be named on their electricity bill if they have
recently moved house.
Eligible customers on pre-payment meters who use a key or card to
top up will also need to ensure that their household's account is
registered in their name.
Earlier this year the government confirmed that millions of
eligible households will receive the Warm Home Discount for the
rest of the decade, with the scheme set to continue through to
2030/1.
Last year's Budget has taken an average £150 of costs
off energy bills, which is factored into bills for
the years to come.
The Warm Homes Plan will also reduce energy use,
lower bills for millions of households and help lift households
out of fuel poverty.
