Warm home discount

charlie79

I haven't received a letter regarding my whd entitlement. 
I am old style benefits esa/sdp/pip/housing benefit. 
I called the helpline provided by government. The gentleman advised me I meet the criteria regarding benefits but because my flat energy effiency is c and d my building does not meet criteria  i am not entitled.
 Can someone explain regarding the building. I'm confused. It's a 1 bedroom flat which was built in 70s . It's concrete structure so gets hot in summer and freezing in winter. I have mould and my electric/gas is hitting around £209 per month. 
I have many mental health problems housebound due to agrophobia and trauma. Also I have anorexia and am now down to a size 6. So I'm cold constantly.

woodbine

details in link but I don't see anything about energy rating and the money is paid direct to your electricity supply, letters should be received by mid January.

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

Albus_Scope

Hi @charlie79 I'm sorry to hear you haven't received your letter still. All I can find online is this link, which does go into detail on energy efficiency, but one part stood out which may be of use to you?

"If you think your energy costs assessment isn't accurate, you can usually challenge it by getting in touch with the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322 or in writing. The helpline is now open and will close to new claims on 29 February 2024."

OverlyAnxious

Sadly, most people living in small flats no longer qualify since the scheme was changed in 2022.  

Being on eligible benefits is only half of the criteria.  The other criteria is the 'energy score', which I have copied below from the .Gov website.

Warm Home Discount Scheme: If you’re on a low income in England and Wales - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Your energy cost score

Your property must have a high energy cost score to be eligible for the scheme.

This is not based on the actual energy costs in your energy bill. It’s calculated based on your property’s type, age and floor area.

chiarieds

There has been a change to the Warm Home Discount (in England & Wales) which lowered the high energy cost threshold for 2023/4 (see pps 6 & 13), so think this is the most up to date info: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1183969/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-2023.pdf

poppy123456

I don't know why you were told about the EPC rating because it's nothing to do with that. Although they lowered the threshold this year for the WHD it's still very unlikely that living in a small flat would qualify you.

You can check yourself to see if you qualify but it's unlikely. https://www.check-warm-home-discount-eligibility.service.gov.uk/region/

worried33

Surprisingly I qualified this year, really surprised as the new WHD isnt kind to people in flats, I didnt get it last year, but did get it this year, I assume they must have adjusted the high energy use threshold.

I first noticed "about your WHD" on the Octopus dashboard, which made me hopeful, then about 2 weeks later the letter came, and not long after that I was credited the £150.

poppy123456

worried33 said:

Surprisingly I qualified this year, really surprised as the new WHD isnt kind to people in flats, I didnt get it last year, but did get it this year, I assume they must have adjusted the high energy use threshold.

I first noticed "about your WHD" on the Octopus dashboard, which made me hopeful, then about 2 weeks later the letter came, and not long after that I was credited the £150.

They lowered the threshold this year compared to the previous year. It's not about high energy costs as such. It's more about the size and age of the property you live in. You are correct about flats and not many qualify when living in them. 

worried33

Well they call it high energy costs, thats why I said the same to avoid confusion.

I dont like the formula they using and think its unfair, I guess I am one of the very few in a flat to qualify now.

Meg24

I was getting it for around a decade, it used to be a great help, before the energy prices went so high. However I don't qualify anymore either, I don't know why as I live in a gable end terrace house and it costs me a lot to heat, as soon as the heating goes off it gets cold within about half an hour and I'm back to square one. I've invested in electric blankets which do keep me warm if I stay tucked up in them. I do get ill a lot more though because of the cold air and more damp. It was another one of those things that this government sold as a good thing - "targetted help" etc. Well I needed it, and now I don't get it anymore. Thanks Rishi.

poppy123456

Meg24 said:

I was getting it for around a decade, it used to be a great help, before the energy prices went so high. However I don't qualify anymore either, I don't know why as I live in a gable end terrace house and it costs me a lot to heat, as soon as the heating goes off it gets cold within about half an hour and I'm back to square one. I've invested in electric blankets which do keep me warm if I stay tucked up in them. I do get ill a lot more though because of the cold air and more damp. It was another one of those things that this government sold as a good thing - "targetted help" etc. Well I needed it, and now I don't get it anymore. Thanks Rishi.

The criteria for the WHD changed a couple of years ago for those that live in England or Wales. How much it costs to heat your home isn't considered in the eligibility criteria unfortunately. What is taken into consideration is which benefits exactly you claim and the age and size of the home you live in.  

Meg24

poppy123456 said:

Meg24 said:

I was getting it for around a decade, it used to be a great help, before the energy prices went so high. However I don't qualify anymore either, I don't know why as I live in a gable end terrace house and it costs me a lot to heat, as soon as the heating goes off it gets cold within about half an hour and I'm back to square one. I've invested in electric blankets which do keep me warm if I stay tucked up in them. I do get ill a lot more though because of the cold air and more damp. It was another one of those things that this government sold as a good thing - "targetted help" etc. Well I needed it, and now I don't get it anymore. Thanks Rishi.

The criteria for the WHD changed a couple of years ago for those that live in England or Wales. How much it costs to heat your home isn't considered in the eligibility criteria unfortunately. What is taken into consideration is which benefits exactly you claim and the age and size of the home you live in.  

Surely the fact that it used to be given to people on the lowest incomes on the grounds that we needed it, and yet in the middle of a cost of living crisis they've decided we are no longer eligible should make us furious? It shouldn't matter if I live in a shoebox, if I'm too poor to afford the bills (I'm on IRESA) they have no business removing help that has been deemed necessary for me for a decade. To dress up that cut as helpful to others instead is a kick in my chattering teeth.

poppy123456

I don't make the rules, I just advise you of them. They did lower the threshold for this the most recent payment. I missed out on it in the first year of the changes but was entitled to it this year. Being on low income isn't the only criteria now, unfortunately. 

Spike1776

I live in a flat and before they changed the rules on WHD I got it for many years

not any more sadly .

Albus_Scope

I'm so sorry to hear that @Spike1776, if you're struggling, you can always speak to the lovely folk over on our disability energy support? 

Spike1776

Thanks @Albus_Scope I’ll keep that in mind but I have a more pressing and distressing battle with UC who took away my LCWRA status because my claim closed in December 2023 in February 2024 I made a reclaim but made a mistake and that claim was closed today I made a new claim and my LCWRA status has been removed by an agent.

Albus_Scope

I'm just having a read through that discussion @Spike1776, I'm so sorry they've added to an already stressful time. 

poppy123456

Spike1776 said:

Thanks @Albus_Scope I’ll keep that in mind but I have a more pressing and distressing battle with UC who took away my LCWRA status because my claim closed in December 2023 in February 2024 I made a reclaim but made a mistake and that claim was closed today I made a new claim and my LCWRA status has been removed by an agent.

It hasn't been removed and an agent has no authority to add or remove anything, only a decision maker can do that.

It wasn't included in your claim when you started that new claim. It will need to be added to your claim, which will be done by a decision maker. The fit note request is just a formality, which they usually ask for when starting a new claim, even those that transfer from ESA are asked for one.