Lifestyle

THE UK's biggest energy company will give thousands of customers an extra £150 this winter to help with bills.

British Gas is giving eligible customers extra cash through the Warm Home Discount to help lower bills this winter.

The eligibility requirements for the Warm Home Discount are the same as last year.

Between now and December, the government will issue letters to households that qualify for the scheme.

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you should expect to receive the payment between the middle of October and the end of March at the very latest.

To qualify, you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit or a different qualifying benefit form the list below:

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  • Income support
  • Income based jobseeker's allowance
  • Income related employment and support allowance
  • Housing benefit
  • Universal Credit
  • Child tax credit
  • Working tax credits
  • Pension Credit savings credit

If you weren't claiming any of the above benefits on August 13, 2023, you won't be eligible for the payment.

The Government will then make an assessment of your energy costs based on the property you live in.

But thousands of pensioners could backdate successful claims for pension credit and still qualify for the Warm Home Discount now.

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Pension credit rules all allow first-time claimants to backdate their benefit entitlement by three months.

So you'll need to launch your claim by Friday, October 13 and then successfully get it backdated to cover the August 13 Warm Home Discount qualifying date.

Do I need to apply for the discount?

People living in England and Wales don't need to apply for the Warm Home Discount as of this year.

You get the payment automatically if your electricity supplier is part of the scheme and you qualify.

Households will receive a letter in the post over the coming weeks confirming their eligibility.

Though energy regulator Ofgem says some people may be asked to contact a Government helpline to confirm their eligibility.

Visit the government website for more information.

How do I secure the discount in Scotland?

The Scottish Government has not changed their Warm Home Discount scheme to bring it in line with England and Wales' application-free scheme.

Households in Scotland will have to follow the rules set out in the legacy scheme.

This means there is still a "core group" that'll receive an automatic payment and a "broader group" who'll have to apply for the scheme with their energy provider.

How will I receive the discount from British Gas?

If you pay by direct debit or on receipt of your bill the Warm Home Discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit.

If you have a traditional prepayment meter, British Gas will send you a voucher you can use to top up your meter at a Post Office.

If you've got a smart prepayment meter, British Gas will send the discount directly to your meter as a credit.

It will then send you an email to let you know it's on there.

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If it can't get the amount applied directly to your meter as quickly as it would like, British Gas says that it will send you a voucher to top up from a Post Office.

That way you'll still get your discount as soon as possible.

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