[HelenaP_EONNext]

Hello Everyone! 👋

The Warm Home Discount Scheme for 2024/25 is now open!

What is the Warm Home Discount (WHD)?

The Warm Home Discount scheme is here to help those who may be struggling to afford their energy bills due to increases in the colder winter months. It’s a one-off payment of £150 which is provided as a credit to assist with the cost of your energy bills.

The WHD is funded by participating energy suppliers to help our vulnerable customers keep warm without the worry of their energy bills during winter. Whoever your supplier is on 11 August 2024 will be responsible for your payments 💜

Who is eligible for the WHD scheme?

In England and Wales there are now two Core Groups.

Core Group 1: Those who are in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

Find out more here Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

Core Group 2: Those on certain means tested benefits and the highest heating costs.

The eligible benefits for Core Group 2 include:

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits

Find out more here Low Income in England and Wales

What do I need to do if I'm in Core group 1 or 2?

If you are eligible the government will contact you directly over the winter of 2024/25.

If you haven’t been contacted by the beginning of January 2025, but think you are eligible please check the government website here WHD Government Website

In Scotland there is the "Core Group" and the "Broader Group"

Core Group:You may qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme automatically, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will get in touch to let you know.

What do I do if I'm part of the Scotland Broader Group?

The Broader group can include those who are:

• In receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit Savings Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit if your household income falls below a certain threshold or if you have a low household income.

There are also other eligibility criteria such as:

• Parental responsibility for a child
• Receiving a disability benefit
• You are of pensionable age

If you live in Scotland and think that you're part of the Broader Group then you can apply online here Apply Online

How and when will I get the payment?

Credit and Smart Pay As You Go customers will receive a payment on their electricity account between October 2024 and March 2025. Credit customers will see the payment on their statements showing as 'Warm home discount - Core group' for £150. SPAYG Customers accounts will be credited £150 which will then be sent to the meter.

Traditional (Non-Smart) Prepayment Customers will be sent a Post Office top up voucher to redeem.

What happens if I move house or switch suppliers?

Core group: If you move home and we were your supplier on 11 August 2024, you'll still get the Warm Home Discount from us.

If you switch suppliers, it is still the responsibility of the company who supplied you on 11 August 2024 to provide the payment even if you switch suppliers.

If you have a final balance on the account after moving or switching, you can use the discount to assist in paying the balance. If there is no final balance, we can send you either a cheque or cash voucher which can be cashed at the Post Office.

Broader group: In the broader group, your WHD application is linked to the address and account number on the application, if you move house before receiving the WHD payment your application will be closed.

If you switch suppliers before receiving the WHD, you will need to contact your new supplier to check if you can apply through them. Applications will be unable to be transferred between suppliers.

How can I find out what benefits I receive?

To check your current benefits, you can contact the Pensions Service or Jobcentre Plus.

Want to check you’re not missing out on any benefits you could be entitled to? Complete a few questions here via the Inbest Benefits Calculator

Other support available:

• E.ON Next Energy Fund - The E.ON Next Energy Fund has been created to help our customers who are experiencing financial hardship and are struggling. You can find out more about the E.ON Next Energy Fund here E.ON Next Energy Fund or we also have a wonderful thread on the Community here E.ON Next Energy Fund Community
• The Priority Services Register - The Priority Service Register allows us to ensure our vulnerable customers are receiving the best support, check out our thread Priority Services Register: What is it and how do I get added? To see what extra support is available!
• ECO4 Scheme - Check out our thread ECO4 Scheme - Meet Joan and Alex to find out more on the ECO4 scheme, designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions.
• Our thread A helping hand - Extra support with the cost of living provides lots of great information on the extra support available to our customers!
  

If you need anything or have any feedback or questions, please let us know! 🌟

[meldrewreborn]

@HelenaP_EONNext

In England and Wales , customers in core group 2 ALSO have to live in a high energy cost home - getting the qualifying benefit at the right time is not the sole factor in determining eligibility, unlike core group 1. This is very important - otherwise people will be led to think that they are eligible when they're not.

And while the discount is paid by one's electricity supplier, the funding actually comes from all customers, whose standing charges have been increased to cover the cost.