Millions of UK households are set to get a winter boost as new support arrives for energy bills.
The Warm Home Discount scheme is returning next month, giving eligible households a £150 reduction on their electricity bills.
From October 20, letters will start landing through doors, offering vital relief as temperatures drop. The money is paid directly to one's energy supplier, automatically lowering what they owe rather than going into their bank account.
This one-off payment is designed to help those on certain benefits cover fuel costs during the colder months.
To qualify, individuals or their partners must be named on the electricity bill and have been claiming specific benefits on August 24, the qualifying date for this year’s scheme.
The scheme covers households where someone was receiving benefits like Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, or various other means-tested support on that August date.
Households in England and Wales will receive the Warm Home Discount automatically if they qualify, with no action needed.
In Scotland, the payment is automatic only for those receiving the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit. Anyone on other qualifying benefits must contact their energy supplier directly to apply.
Northern Ireland households are not eligible, as the scheme only covers England, Wales, and Scotland.
Exact date millions will get letters about £150 energy bill discount
| GETTYThe Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has recently removed the previous requirement for high energy use in England and Wales.
Previously, households not on Pension Credit had to prove higher energy costs to qualify, but this is no longer necessary, making it easier for more people to access support.
Officials estimate the change could increase the number of households receiving the discount by 2.7 million, bringing the total to around 6.1 million families across the UK.
The Warm Home Discount Scheme offers a £150 one-off discount for qualifying people on a low income | GETTYIt's a welcome move that'll put money back in people's pockets when they need it most.
The timing couldn't be more important. Energy bills are about to go up again, with Ofgem's price cap jumping from £1,720 to £1,755 for a typical household from October 1.
That increase kicks in just as the Warm Home Discount letters start landing on doormats. The new cap runs until December 31, when it'll be reviewed again.
Pension Credit is one of the retirement benefits administered by the DWP | PAIt's worth remembering the cap only applies if you're on a standard variable rate tariff. And it doesn't actually limit one's total bill - they still pay based on how much gas and electricity they use.
The cap sets the maximum rates for each unit of energy and the daily standing charges.
Those figures assume a typical household uses 2,700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas annually.