Are you aware of the Warm Home Discount Scheme ?
Qualifying residents could get £140 off their electricity bill between September 18 and March 19 in the form of a one off discount.
If their supplier provides them with both gas and electricity, some suppliers will allow the resident to use their discount on the gas instead. The scheme does not effect either the Cold Weather Payment or the Winter Fuel payment.
Not all energy suppliers are participating but it seems that the major ones are. You can check this out by clicking here www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/energy-suppliers .
Eligibility:
There are 2 ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme:
- The resident gets the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. If a resident is eligible they should have received a letter by the 7th December 2018 informing them of how to receive the discount. www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/guarantee-pension-credit
- If a resident is on a low income, they get certain means-tested benefits and their energy supplier is part of the scheme they may be entitled the discount. The resident would need to contact their supplier direct and to be aware that there is only a limited amount of discounts available. www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/low-income
Further Information:
www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
NB: The current scheme does not allow for residents who are not billed directly (i.e. they are re-charged by the charity due to a shared utility system) to apply for the discount. The Almshouse Association is making enquiries with the appropriate authority to see whether this can be reviewed.