Warm Home Discount for winter 2013-14
If you’re a pensioner or have a low income, you may be able to get help with your electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount scheme. If you’re eligible, you’ll get a rebate on your electricity bill of £135 for this winter.
If you’re an eligible pensioner, your will be contacted directly this year or early in 2014.
If you are on a low income but are not an eligible pensioner, you may still be able to get help. You will need to contact your electricity supplier to see if you are eligible and to find out about their scheme. Each supplier has their own rules about who else can get this help.
What is the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
If you are on a low income, you may qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme. This gives a rebate to pensioners on low incomes and some other customers on low incomes. The rebate is £135 on your electricity bill for winter 2013 -2014. The Warm Home Discount Scheme will run each winter until 2014/15.
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is run by energy companies, who are required by law to offer this rebate.
Who qualifies for a Warm Home Discount?
In 2013-2014 if you are a pensioner on 20 July 2013, you can qualify for a warm home discount if you are either:
- under 75 and only get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit – not the Savings Credit part
- 75 or over and get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit – even if you also get the Savings Credit part.
Your name or your partner’s name must be on your electricity bill, and your energy company must be taking part in the Warm Home Discount scheme.
- More information on energy suppliers taking part in the Warm Home Discount Scheme at www.gov.uk
If you are on a low income:
If you are on a low income, it will be up to your supplier to decide whether you can get the Warm Home Discount. You may be eligible if you’re on a low income and you have a disability or long-term illness, or children. The actual criteria used will vary depending on your supplier.
Each supplier has their own rules about who else can get the discount. You should check with your supplier to see if you can get it.
How to claim a Warm Home Discount:
If you are a pensioner eligible for the Warm Home Discount, the Department for Work and Pensions will try to make sure you get this discount automatically. If you are missed out, you can ask for the discount directly from your supplier.
If you are on a low income, you will need to contact your energy supplier for details of whether you are eligible. If you believe you are eligible, you will then need to apply directly to your supplier.
More information:
For more information on applying to your energy supplier for the Warm Home Discount at www.gov.uk
The Home Heat Helpline is a service for vulnerable customers struggling to pay their bills. It is funded by the energy suppliers, and provides information on grants, payment schemes and benefits that may be available as well as basic advice about energy efficiency.
Telephone: 0800 336699 (freephone)
Website: www.homeheathelpline.org.uk
The Energy Saving Trust has an online home energy check to find out where you could make savings on your bills. You can also contact your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre for help:
Telephone: 0300 123 1234 (freephone)
Website: www.est.org.uk
Charis
Charis grants has details of schemes run by energy suppliers to help some customers in debt at www.charis.grants.com.
For help from Salford Citizens Advice visit your local bureau in Eccles, Irlam and Cadishead, SalfordCity, Swinton, Walkden or at Salford Royal.
Telephone our advice line: 0844 826 9695 (if calling from a landline or if calling from a mobile 0300 456 2554).
Tom Togher.