The government has changed who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount this winter.
Charities are warning that the move could lead to around 500,000 households across England and Wales being ineligible for the discount because Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payments are no longer qualifying benefits. It means that many households will miss out on the much-needed discount in the face of skyrocketing bills.
Both National Energy Action (NEA) and Scope warned that households that would previously be eligible for the discount will now miss out. Some billpayers are already receiving letters from their supplier, urging them to check their eligibility via the government's new telephone service - 0800 731 0214.
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Among the 2.8 million who are eligible for the discount are pensioners who receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit as well as people on low income who receive certain means-tested benefits who are either in fuel poverty or at risk of it. NEA chief executive Adam Scorer said: “The Warm Home Discount is a winter lifeline. It is a vital part of the energy bill support schemes and yet over half a million low-income and vulnerable households who aren’t on benefits or who live in marginally smaller or newer homes will no longer receive the rebates.
“These households are likely to be either single people, single parents or disabled households. Removing a £150 rebate from these vulnerable groups is unwelcome and an unnecessary change to a vital programme – especially during an energy crisis”.
James Taylor, director of strategy at Scope, said: “It’s shameful the Government is taking away the Warm Home Discount from those who need it most.
“Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled. Scope is hearing from disabled people whose health will deteriorate if they can’t stay warm. People who are having to turn off fridges, and who are worried about how they will run vital equipment like breathing machines and powered wheelchairs.
“The Government needs to provide more direct financial support now, not less, so disabled people don’t freeze and starve this winter.”
NEA has calculated that the number of UK households in fuel poverty has now reached 6.7 million, including more than three million households with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Mr Scorer added: "People are planning for and relying on this support.
"They will be appalled that these changes are being made at this time. Some of the most vulnerable people in our society could be left out in the cold.
"Charities like our own shouldn’t be left to pick up the pieces, we are already seeing record numbers needing our help more than ever.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: “We have introduced an unprecedented package of energy bills support for households, including a £400 discount through the Energy Bills Support Scheme, and the Energy Price Guarantee which will save the typical household £700 this winter. This is on top of a range of additional support available to low-income households.
“On top of this, we are also prioritising households most in need this winter, with over 3 million homes across Great Britain receiving an additional £150 energy bill discount through the Warm Home Discount, which will mean an extra 780,000 pensioners and low-income families will benefit this year compared to last.”
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