People on low incomes urged to check if they can get £150 energy bill discount

People on low incomes could benefit from a £150 rebate on their energy bills – and are being urged to act now where they need to, so they can get the support before this year’s scheme closes.

The help is available to over 3 million households across Great Britain that are most at risk of fuel poverty, with many receiving the discount automatically.

However, some customers have been sent a letter asking them to confirm their details by calling the Warm Home Discount Helpline so they can check their eligibility and get the rebate.

Households who need to provide more information need to call the helpline by 29 February and get the support they are entitled to.

The scheme forms part of measures to keep costs down for families and protect those most at risk of fuel poverty this winter, following a significant drop in energy prices since their peak last year.

Government has pledged to halve inflation – which is now at a two-year low of 3.9%.

Minister for Affordability and Skills, Amanda Solloway said: “I am urging people on low incomes who have been notified about the Warm Home Discount to make sure they act now to get £150 off their energy bill.

“Please check your letter and call our helpline before the end of February if you need to provide more information.”

The government’s Warm Home Discount offers targeted energy bill support for those most in need. This includes low income pensioners and households with high energy costs.

These customers received a letter at the end of last year explaining the discount and instructions on any action they may need to take.

For the vast majority of these customers, the discount is automatically applied to bills between October 2023 and March 2024, or is available as a top-up voucher for those with a prepayment meter.

However, some people who received a letter and could qualify for the support have been asked ring the government helpline number provided in their letter to confirm their details.

Customers can also find out more on the government's Warm Home Discount gov.uk page and use the online eligibility checker to see if they qualify, or call the general Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322.

The support comes on top of wider action to protect vulnerable households, including a £900 payment for those on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioner households and an extra £150 available for those on disability benefits.

The government has also invested over £2 billion into the Household Support Fund over the last two years, increased the Local Housing Allowance Rate so £1.6 million private renters on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit gain an average of nearly £800 a year and £600 in tax-free cash for pensioner households to help with energy bills through Winter Fuel Payments.

Cold Weather Payments have also been triggered to help households receiving certain benefits to stay warm this winter. The scheme provides low-income households with an automatic payment of £25 following periods of cold weather.

If you are eligible, households in the Rochdale borough will get a Cold Weather Payment for two periods of very cold weather between 28 November 2023 to 4 December 2023 and 13 January 2024 to 19 January 2024.

The season Cold Weather Payment runs annually from 1 November to 31 March.

You can check your eligibilty here.

Anyone can access advice on how to reduce energy costs and heat their home for less via the government’s Help for Households website.