Over a million pensioners could be missing out on vital £140 discount on their energy bills

More than one in five over 65-year-olds rationed their energy usage last winter in order to afford their energy bills

An estimated 1.4 million pensioners are potentially missing out on £140 discount on their energy bills from the Warm Homes Discount (WHD), according to research by Compare the Market.

The WHD scheme requires participating domestic energy suppliers to provide support to those who are in, or at risk of, fuel poverty. According to figures from Ofgem and the Department for Work and Pensions 1,214,571 customers were provided with the rebate last year.

However, 1,343,450 over 65-year-olds were eligible for the discount, suggesting that over 100,000 people are with suppliers who are not signed up to the scheme.

Furthermore, it is estimated that 1.3 million pensioners may be entitled to Pension Credit but do not claim it meaning that millions of pensioners on low incomes could be missing out on vital discounts.

The WHD is available to people who are in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, who have reached the state pension age and live on a weekly income of less than £167.25 for a single person or £255.25 for a couple.

• Read more about Pension Credit here: www.gov.uk/government/publications/pension-credit-toolkit/pension-credit-toolkit-advice-and-guidance-for-stakeholders

According to the research, more than one in five (23%) over 65-year-olds rationed their energy usage last winter in order to afford their energy bills – equating to 2.7 million people nationwide.

These figures become starker when looking at pensioners on lower incomes. More than a third (35%) of over 65-year-olds who earn less that £21,000 per year rationed their energy usage last winter.

The comparison site warns that, for pensioners to receive the WHD, it is vital that they are aware that only 14 suppliers currently offer it to their customers.

The suppliers that currently provide the Warm Homes Discount are: Bristol Energy, British Gas, Coop Energy, Economy Energy, EDF Energy, EON Energy, Extra Energy, First Utility, Fischer Energy, Flow Energy, Npower Group, Our Power, OVO Energy, Scottish Power, Spark Energy, SSE Energy, Utilita and Utility Energy.