State pensioners set for £150 boost after Winter Fuel Payment cut | Personal Finance | Finance
State pensioners are set for a £150 boost this month to help with energy bill costs as the weather gets colder. This will be particularly helpful in light of the Labour Government’s decision to restrict eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments.
The Warm Home Discount, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is applied directly to the bills of eligible vulnerable Britons whose energy providers participate in the scheme.
The scheme began in October, with payments starting in November. Most eligible households will receive a confirmation letter between November and January.
However, households should stay vigilant, as they may need to claim the discount if they believe they qualify but have not received the payment.
Here’s a rundown of who qualifies and what energy providers are participating this year.
Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount?
Those who live in England and Wales can qualify if their energy provider is part of the scheme and they either:
Low-income benefits that may be eligible include Universal Credit, Income Support, Housing Benefit, and Tax Credits.
Those who reside in Scotland can qualify if their energy provider is part of the scheme and they either:
Which energy suppliers are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme?
The following suppliers are part of the scheme:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Co-op Energy – see Octopus Energy
- E – also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Fuse Energy
- Good Energy
- Home Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO
- Rebel Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse.
If a person’s electricity supplier stops trading, they may still be eligible for the discount.
A statement on GOV.UK reads: “Ofgem will appoint a new supplier for you. Check with your new supplier if you’re eligible for the discount.”
If you do not get a letter
The DWP advises people who think they should be eligible to contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme on 0800 030 9322 if they do not get the letter by early January 2025.
The deadline to contact the office is February 28, 2025.
