The Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has issued an urgent reminder to millions of UK households: check the name on your energy bill by Sunday, August 23 to secure a £150 discount this winter.
The warning relates to the Warm Home Discount scheme, a payment automatically received by qualifying households to ease cost-of-living pressures during the colder months. The scheme was expanded last year to include nearly a million more families with children receiving extra support.
Who qualifies for the £150 Warm Home Discount?
Every household where the billpayer is on means-tested benefits is in line for the £150 rebate. Eligible customers on pre-payment meters who use a key or card to top up must also ensure their household’s account is registered in their name.
Customers may be able to get the discount on their gas bill instead if their supplier provides both gas and electricity and they are eligible. They would need to contact their supplier to find out for certain.
Around six million households eligible
Around six million households across Britain are now eligible for the discount. In England and Wales, households in receipt of Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, and Universal Credit will be eligible – the same cohort as last winter.
This comes a month after the Prime Minister announced plans to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October. While Andy Burnham initially claimed the change would save £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap, experts at Cornwall Insight have said a three-year high in the cost of gas and electricity will result in a typical household facing an annual bill of £1,729 – up from £1,663 previously.
Energy Secretary urges households to act
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: "Families will be worried about their energy bills this winter and our focus is on giving them breathing space, as we continue to work to bring down bills. Almost a million more families with children received the £150 Warm Home Discount last winter, after we expanded scheme."
Ms Fahnbulleh added: "If you know someone who might benefit, please start spreading the word and encourage them to check they are named on their energy bill."
Earlier this year, the government confirmed that millions of eligible households will receive the Warm Home Discount for the rest of the decade, with the scheme set to continue through to 2030/1. The Warm Homes Plan will also reduce energy use, lower bills for millions of households and help lift households out of fuel poverty, a government spokesperson said.
