[Han_EONNext]

Good afternoon guys 😁,

We have seen more questions regarding the Warm Home Discount (WHD) knocking around, not just here on the Community, but within our customer services too. We have decided to do things a little different this year. For those in England & Wales you don't need to apply as we will be applying automatically for those eligible between November 2022 and March 2023.

England & Wales:

We will work with the DWP to identify eligible customers and apply the discount to their accounts. This year we will have 2 core groups that will be identified.

Core Group 1:

• Just like in previous years, the discount will include low income pensioners in receipt of the guaranteed element of pension credit.

Core Group 2:

• Include those in receipt of means tested benefits with the highest heating costs.

The eligible benefits include:

• Income related Employment and Support Allowance, Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Universal Credit, Housing benefit, Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits or Pension Credit Savings Credit.

Scotland:

In Scotland, we aren't 100% sure on what is happening in regards to the application and we are waiting on an update by November 2022. So far, what we know is that those in Core Group will not need to apply, but those in the Broader Group will have to apply.

Core Group:

• Similarly to those in England & Wales, the discount will include low income pensioners in receipt of the guaranteed element of pension credit.

Broarder Group:

• Those in receipt of eligible benefits in Scotland and need to apply from early to middle of November 2023. The broader group application window is currently closed and not expected to open until this coming winter.

How will these rebates be paid?
- If you have a classic credit meter or a SMART meter this will be applied as a credit in your energy account.
- Traditional Prepayment customers will receive a voucher that they can redeem at the post office in retrurn for a top up key.
- Smart Pay As You Go customers will have the discount applied directly to their meters.

If you do want to look into things in more detail please visit the links listed below 😌
- .Gov website 👉 https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
- OFGEM 👉https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environment...unt-whd-scheme

Of course we will be updating you with more information regarding WHD in Scotland as soon as we can 😊

[GSimpson]

@Han_EONNext

Thank you, Han for the info. Does it mean that in England and Wales there is only core group1 and core group 2, no broader group? And in Scotland there is a core group and a broader group?

[garyfrog]

@Han_EONNext

it says "
Core Group 2:

• Include those in receipt of means tested benefits with the highest heating costs. "

does this mean only people who use more energy than the lower users if so then if a low user does not use enough energy they get nothing no warm home discount what so ever

[GSimpson]

Originally Posted by garyfrog

@Han_EONNext
does this mean only people who use more energy than the lower users if so then if a low user does not use enough energy they get nothing no warm home discount what so ever

I hope it doesn't mean that those who have already tried to be economical with fuel usage get less (or nothing) while those who've spend uncontrollably continue to get help.

[Beki]

@garyfrog Great question and one that we can forward on and get an answer for you. Bear with us 😊

[meldrewreborn]

@Beki_EONNext

given that the government are involved they’ll come up with a complex scheme, announced at short notice, based on out of date data and will then pass that to E.On Next who will repeat the performance that has been amply demonstrated recently in implementing the scheme poorly - and that’s being polite - I’m very conscious of community values !

[Beki]

@meldrewreborn I appreciate that you have used your Community voice and it hasn't gone unnoticed. We usually have 8 weeks to get info like this prepared and out there, but with little under 2 1/2 it's tough going. I really do appreciate your patience whilst I get firm answers for you.

Myself and the team want to ensure that we are giving you the absolutely correct information from the right people. 🙏

[Beki]

@GSimpson In England and Wales, broader groups don't need to apply, just like the core groups. 😊

[Beki]

@garyfrog If you head to the Ofgem website you can see this info in the England and Wales document. Not 100% sure if this applies to you, but the Scottish one is there should you need it. Download the PDF doc and head to page 30, where you can find the Core Group 2 overview.

[TerryMc]

@Beki_EONNext
I wonder how the government will find out what type of property those that might be eligible on benefits in the second group live in. Will they be sending out a form to gather this information? Surely they cannot just rely on old statistical records and assumptions. They will need better than that !