Salford Citizens Advice:

Dealing with high fuel costs and the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

With the winter just around the corner, and the recent decision of the regulators to lift the restrictions on energy cost so that on average yearly bills are likely to rise by about £130, as well as with the general upwards cost of energy due to the world economy, it gets more expensive to keep warm at home. A discount of £140 off your electricity is available for eligible people to help cut the cost of keeping warm in the winter. This scheme opens on October 18, 2021.

The scheme comes as a discount off your electricity bill rather than being paid directly to you. It does not affect any cold weather payment of winter fuel payment that you might also be entitled to. More information about these is available from the Citizens Advice national website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/

There are two ways to be eligible. Firstly, you need to be getting the Guarantee Credit Element of Pension Credit (this is known as being in the ‘core group’); or you’re on a low income and meet the energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme (this is known as being in the ‘broader group’). There is a precise date at which you need to have been in receipt of the qualifying benefit to be eligible which for this year is July 4.

You can still qualify for the discount if you are on a pre-payment or pay as you go meter. Your supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount in these cases.

Not all energy suppliers are covered by the scheme, the very small suppliers are not included. There is a list of all the suppliers that are in the scheme on the government website gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme. This is usefully something to bear in mind when you decide on your energy supplier.

There is a central help line where you can find out more about the scheme, as well as any supplier updates on 0800 731 0214.

There is also a lot of useful energy saving ideas on the city council’s website at:

https://www.salford.gov.uk/housing/home-maintenance-and-improvements/improve-energy-efficiency-in-the-home/help-to-improve-energy-efficiency-in-the-home/

You can also find more energy saving advice on the Energy Trust’s website at https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/.

 

Tom Togher

September 2021.