State pensioners are set to receive an automatic £150 boost to help with energy costs this winter.
Customers of key energy firms such as British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON, and Octopus Energy will see the benefits of this policy.
The one-off, tax-free discount is available through the Warm Home Discount scheme. The scheme will provide crucial support for millions of households struggling with gas and electricity bills.
Pensioners can qualify for the Warm Home Discount if they receive the guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit.
However, those who haven’t yet claimed Pension Credit still have a chance to receive the £150 discount if they act quickly.
The deadline to backdate Pension Credit claims is November 10, which would cover the August 11 qualifying date for the scheme.
The payment comes as a timely support measure following recent changes to Winter Fuel Payments, where eligibility has been restricted to those over 66 who receive certain means-tested benefits.
Major energy companies including British Gas, EDF, EOn, OVO are participating
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Those on specific benefits can also qualify for the discount if they were receiving it as of August 11, 2024 – the qualifying date.
Qualifying benefits include income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, housing benefit, Universal Credit, child tax credit, working tax credits and the “savings credit” portion of Pension Credit.
For those on benefits other than guaranteed Pension Credit, eligibility also depends on their property’s energy costs.
The Government will assess eligibility based on the type, age and size of the property, meaning those in energy-efficient homes may not qualify even if they receive benefits.
However, this energy efficiency assessment doesn’t apply to those receiving the guarantee credit portion of Pension Credit, who automatically qualify.
The following energy suppliers are participating in the Warm Home Discount scheme:
- Affect Energy (now part of Octopus Energy)
- Boost Energy
- British Gas (including Scottish Gas)
- Bulb (now part of Octopus Energy)
- Co-op Energy (now part of Octopus Energy)
- E (gas and electricity)
- E.on Next
- Ecotricity
- EDF Energy
- Fuse Energy
- Good Energy
- Home Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- Ovo Energy
- Rebel Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Power
- Shell Energy
- So Energy
- Tomato Energy
- Tru Energy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
- 100Green (previously Green Energy UK)
Customers must be with one of these suppliers to receive the discount, even if they meet all other eligibility criteria.
Those with dual-fuel accounts may be able to have the discount applied to their gas bill instead of electricity by contacting their supplier directly.
The method of receiving the £150 discount varies depending on how customers pay for their electricity.
For those on standard credit or smart prepayment meters, the discount will be automatically added as credit to their electricity account between October 2024 and March 2025.
These customers should receive a confirmation letter by early January about their discount.
Households with traditional prepayment meters will receive a top-up voucher via post, email or text, with some potentially receiving a cheque instead.
These vouchers must be redeemed within 90 days at a Post Office or PayPoint shop, though suppliers can reissue expired or lost vouchers.
Customers using traditional prepayment meters will need to provide proof of identity, such as a passport or driving licence, when redeeming their voucher.
The £150 will typically be applied as a discount on bills rather than a cash payment, regardless of payment method.