As the cost of living crisis continues to concern thousands of UK households, shopping bills, petrol prices and energy costs will soar in the coming weeks and months.
Millions are planning on keeping their heating off in a bid to avoid sky-high bills. And because of this, people have been on the hunt for electric blankets and other warming things to keep them cosy this winter.
However, money saving expert Martin Lewis has reminded Scottish households that they can claim £150 off their heating bills this winter, should they be on certain benefits that qualify. However, with many people in Scotland still needing to apply for the Warm Home Discount.
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has also warned that people should do it as soon as possible as in some cases, it's on a first-come, first-served basis. Read on below for our handy guide on who is eligible for the scheme, how you can apply, and how it all works.
Warm Home Discount scheme - how it works
According to everybody's favourite finance guru, Martin Lewis said that rather than the money being paid directly into your bank account, the £150 rebate is applied to your electricity bill between October and March, and if you're on a prepay meter, you will likely be sent a top-up voucher.
Who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount?
There are two ways that make you eligible. One way is:
If you get the guarantee credit element of pension credit, the payment should come automatically (this is known as the 'core group').
Martin Lewis said: "The key qualifying date is August 21, 2022. You're eligible if, on that date, you were getting pension credit, your name – or your partner's – was on the energy bill and your supplier was part of the scheme (all firms with at least 50,000 customers are required to take part).
"You should get a letter between November 2022 and January 2023 letting you know when to expect your discount. A telephone helpline will open on 14 November if you need help or haven't received your letter.
"Are you of state pension age? Check if you can get pension credit. If you qualify, you can still get the warm home discount if you make a claim for pension credit before 14 November 2022 and request for it to be backdated. Pension credit can also unlock many other benefits."
The other way is:
On certain benefits? You may qualify, but you must apply (this is known as the 'broader group').
The money expert explained: "If you're on a low income and on certain means-tested benefits you may still be able to get the Warm Home Discount, but in this scenario, it won't be paid automatically and you'll need to apply to your energy provider.
"The minimum eligibility criteria are shown in the table below, but suppliers can choose to offer the discount to more customers based on additional criteria – so it's worth checking directly with your supplier to see if you might be eligible."
How do I apply for the scheme?
If you receive one of the following benefits, this is the criteria you will need to have met in order to qualify for the Warm Home Discount.
Child Tax Credit
- our annual income is £17,005 or less and you have parental responsibility for a child under the age of five who usually lives with you
- or your child tax credit has a disability element
- or you get a disabled child premium
Housing benefit, Income support, Income-based jobseeker's allowance, Income-related employment and support allowance (with a support component or member of the work-related activity group)
You have parental responsibility for a child under the age of five who usually lives with you
or you get either child tax credit with a disability element, a disabled child premium, a disability premium or a pensioner premium
Universal Credit
You earned £1,418 or less in at least one assessment period since October 2021 and you have parental responsibility for a child under the age of five who usually lives with you
or you have 'limited capability for work' or 'limited capability for work and work-related activity'
or your Universal Credit has a disabled child element
Applications are open now but only for some companies, check if your company is still receiving applications on the Money Saving Expert website.
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