The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released an update on their Warm Home Discount Scheme, which grants a one-off £150 discount off electricity bills for those eligible. The department has warned about scammers calling people and asking them to apply for the discount. Instead, the £150 credit will be automatically applied to peoples' electricity accounts.
The X post said: "If you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount, the £150 credit will be automatically applied to your electricity account If you get a call asking you to apply for the discount, it's a scam."
Under the UK Government's Plan for Change, over six million households will benefit this winter from the £150 discount.
The one-off payment is usually handed out between October and March. While it's paid out automatically to the majority of households that meet the eligibility criteria, if you're living in Scotland, you'll likely need to apply. Energy companies, including OVO and EDF, have now opened up their applications for this group.
The following suppliers are part of the scheme:
The UK government website says that if you live in England and Wales, you qualify for the scheme if you either:
If you live in Scotland, you qualify if you either:
The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.
If you do not get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you may still be eligible for the Warm Home Discount. If all of the following apply, you could receive the credit:
If you didn't receive your payment last year, you might still be able to receive it. You should contact your electricity supplier if you both did not get your discount by March 31, 2025 and have confirmation you were eligible for the scheme for winter 2024 to 2025.
You hold a confirmation if you received a letter confirming your eligibility, were told you were eligible by the scheme's helpline, or were advised of your eligibility when applying through your electricity supplier.
