More than half a million households may no longer be eligible for the Warm Home Discount.
Charities have warned that the "winter lifeline" benefit could be cut for more than 500,000 homes. It comes as the Government is changing the targeting of the one-off payment - which has increased by £10 this winter to £150 - and is due to launch a new telephone service for households this week to check their eligibility.
The charities, National Energy Action (NEA) and Scope, said that 500,000 households across England and Wales are now ineligible for the discount because Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments are no longer qualifying benefits. Some of those in smaller homes who were previously entitled to the assistance will also miss out.
