help with energy bills

happyfella

what help is there available for energy bills, and when is the warm front scheme available again

calcotti

The current scheme is that every domestic electricity bill will receive a credit of £400 paid over 6 months from October to March.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-bills-support-scheme-explainer

For pensioners there will also be an extra £300 on their Winter Fuel Payment.
https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

Warm Home discount for those who get it has been increased to £150 and the eligibility has been widened (although some people who used to get it will lose out) but gov.uk doesn't seem to have the new details yet.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/03/warm-home-discount-reforms-/

janer1967

@calcotti thanks for the update 

Seems it has changed again as initially it said it would be paid automatically no need to apply 

Now have to apply by August yet don't know what they are saying is high energy cost in order to be eligible so how do we know whether to apply or not 

I've never claimed it as tbh didn't know about it and would have been eligible on old rules 

So am I correct in thinking you need to have high energy costs (whatever that is ) to be eligible 

calcotti

janer1967 said:

Now have to apply by August yet don't know what they are saying is high energy cost in order to be eligible so how do we know whether to apply or not 

That's not what the link says. People who qualify should get the Warm Home Discount automatically - what the link suggests is that people still had the opportunity to apply for relevant means tested benefits by 2nd August in order to be eligible.

It is very annoying that gov.uk is not (as far as I can see) up to date!

As you say it's not clear what "high energy bill" will mean. Presumably it means that people who in well insulated modern properties with low bills will not qualify.

janer1967

Thanks @calcotti they don't make things easy do they 

happyfella

janer1967 said:

@calcotti thanks for the update 

Seems it has changed again as initially it said it would be paid automatically no need to apply 

Now have to apply by August yet don't know what they are saying is high energy cost in order to be eligible so how do we know whether to apply or not 

I've never claimed it as tbh didn't know about it and would have been eligible on old rules 

So am I correct in thinking you need to have high energy costs (whatever that is ) to be eligible 

how do you apply

janer1967

@happyfella you don't need to apply if eligible will be paid automatically 

Middleton

calcotti said:

janer1967 said:

Now have to apply by August yet don't know what they are saying is high energy cost in order to be eligible so how do we know whether to apply or not 

That's not what the link says. People who qualify should get the Warm Home Discount automatically - what the link suggests is that people still had the opportunity to apply for relevant means tested benefits by 2nd August in order to be eligible.

It is very annoying that gov.uk is not (as far as I can see) up to date!

As you say it's not clear what "high energy bill" will mean. Presumably it means that people who in well insulated modern properties with low bills will not qualify.

WHD is usually applied for in Oct isnt it?

Middleton

janer1967 said:

@happyfella you don't need to apply if eligible will be paid automatically 

Warm home discount?   Ive always had to apply each year, approx Oct time... Have the rules now changed?>

bg844

@Middleton as advised the rules have now changed. 

Middleton

bg844 said:

@Middleton as advised the rules have now changed. 

To what?

poppy123456

Middleton said:

bg844 said:

@Middleton as advised the rules have now changed. 

To what?

You don't need to apply this year because of the changes in the criteria. If you're entitled to it, it will automatically be added to your energy account. Part of the criteria this year, is you must be claiming a means tested benefit like Income Related ESA/JSA Income Support/Universal Credit etc etc.

If you just claim a disability benefit such as PIP or DLA then you won't be entitled to it.

There was a link posted above, which is here. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/03/warm-home-discount-reforms-/

This was taken from the above link. Under the new rules, those in receipt of the guarantee credit element of pension credit will still be guaranteed the warm home discount. Everyone else will receive a letter from October telling them that they will either receive the rebate automatically and therefore don't need to do anything, or that they may be eligible but need to call a dedicated helpline to provide further evidence of your eligibility.

Middleton

poppy123456 said:

Middleton said:

bg844 said:

@Middleton as advised the rules have now changed. 

To what?

You don't need to apply this year because of the changes in the criteria. If you're entitled to it, it will automatically be added to your energy account. Part of the criteria this year, is you must be claiming a means tested benefit like Income Related ESA/JSA Income Support/Universal Credit etc etc.

If you just claim a disability benefit such as PIP or DLA then you won't be entitled to it.

There was a link posted above, which is here. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/03/warm-home-discount-reforms-/

This was taken from the above link. Under the new rules, those in receipt of the guarantee credit element of pension credit will still be guaranteed the warm home discount. Everyone else will receive a letter from October telling them that they will either receive the rebate automatically and therefore don't need to do anything, or that they may be eligible but need to call a dedicated helpline to provide further evidence of your eligibility.

Many thanks for the clarification.

L_Volunteer

Glad to hear we were able to clarify this for you @Middleton. It is the very least you deserve. If we can do anything else to help please don't hesitate to let us know. We are all here for you 

poppy123456

There are a few others on the forum that have also received the WHD now.

L_Volunteer

Thank you for sharing this @poppy123456. I am wondering if you could, please, provide a few examples of others on the forum who have received this.

I am hoping this might help @tomm to hear from others who have got this letter notice. If not though, please don't worry 

daffodil22

The exact dates for when people will get their Cost of Living Payments haven’t been released yet, but the government has shared their plan for when they’ll make the payments and how much they’ll be:  

• £301 – first Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2023 
• £150 – Disability Payment – during Summer 2023 
• £300 – second Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023 
  
• £300 – Pensioner Payment – during Winter 2023/4 
  
• £299 – third Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024. 

Lou67

Hi all

 Im in Scotland and we had to still apply.
Obviously it’s different in England and Wales.

I hope everyone gets sorted with it.