Cost of Living Payment

I recently received a geniune letter from HM Government informing me I will automatically qualify for £150 Warm Front Discount that will be paid by March 2023.

My question is this; I am on old style EESA, contribution based ESA & have been for about ten years. I am in the support group. This old style EESA benefit sits outside the Universal Credit System and is not classified as a means tested benefit.

The Warm front letter informs me I am on a means tested benefit. Old style contibution EESA started over ten years ago is not means tested & I have not been migrated over to UC or have any date in my area for migration over to UC .

What is the criteria for receiving this payment? I can't work so i do not earn income, but old style contribution EESA isnt classified as a means tested benefit.?
I tried with no success to ask the Warm front Team, they informed me if I have been identified by the DWP as automatically qualifying this this payment, it is paid from money from my power supplier.
OK, I don't feel guilty about that!! I am more concerned about being hassled at a later by the DWP !! I tried to ring various automated DWP numbers, they all direct me to the UC online account. I don't have a UC account as I am not on UC.
The warm front advice line advisor also told me perhaps its because I dont have an income , apart from old style EESA & PIP & that I live in a house identified as being a high energy user.
If I have qualified under that criteria, Great.. but I just cant get any sense from anyone from Warm Front or DWP after a day of trying ringing & ringing.... No surprise there then !! Any clues anyone?

Hi Hillbill,

I had the same letter and £150 has been applied to my energy account . I also am not on any IR benefits I have never received any warm home discount before . I am however on the energy supplier vulnerable priority list.

It's the only thing I can think of , I have heard of a few people on the forum getting the £150 when they didn't before so I don't think you have anything to worry about

Traceytracey

Tracy can I ask which energy supplier you are with as my letter just says it will be paid before end of March I think it was.
I wonder if people are getting it different times due to their energy supplier.

Evening hillbilly

You're not alone, do a search here for 'Warm Home Discount & PIP' you'll see that there's an ongoing conversation. Like you I receive ESA-Contribution Based & PIP-enhanced living & mobility, so no means tested benefit. I've had no joy with trying to find out the 'Specific Criteria' as to why I suddenly received a letter to confirm I 'Automatically Qualify' having never done so in the past. The nearest I've come to a possible explanation, is the size of my house+running cost+vulnerability but, just guessing which makes me slightly nervous as I would much prefer to know precisely why! No help I know but it's the best I've managed.

Hello MrH2020

My energy supplier is Bulb and I received an email from them on 23 November 2022

"We've added the £150.00 Warm Home Discount directly to your Bulb account. You can check your new balance in your Bulb account."

I'm not in receipt of ANY means tested benefits either.
Sue