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Warm home discount
- Tess2012
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1 year 11 months ago #277076 by Tess2012
Warm home discount was created by Tess2012
Can anyone help me please. I am a vulnerable disabled person living alone and im on my energy providers priority list (scottish power)
Every year since 2018 I have received tge Warm Home Discount. My energy direct debit has more than doubled so I contacted scottish power and I did not receive WHD for 2022. When I rang WHD they told me I was no longer eligible as there is a new criteria the government introduced in August 2022 about your property. She said it was simply a calculation that gave a yes or no answer with no explanation of what has changed. I'm still the same person in the same house with the same needs and benefits. How can they just stop giving me this lifeline at the time I need it most?
Has this happened to anyone else? I don't really understand why I'm no longer entitled?
Thanks
Tess
Every year since 2018 I have received tge Warm Home Discount. My energy direct debit has more than doubled so I contacted scottish power and I did not receive WHD for 2022. When I rang WHD they told me I was no longer eligible as there is a new criteria the government introduced in August 2022 about your property. She said it was simply a calculation that gave a yes or no answer with no explanation of what has changed. I'm still the same person in the same house with the same needs and benefits. How can they just stop giving me this lifeline at the time I need it most?
Has this happened to anyone else? I don't really understand why I'm no longer entitled?
Thanks
Tess
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- BIS
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1 year 11 months ago #277082 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic Warm home discount
Hi Tess
There are a large number of people who are longer qualify for the Warm Home Discount. Martin Lewis at the moneyexpert.com gives a good explanation that might help www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/03/w...e-discount-reforms-/
BIS
There are a large number of people who are longer qualify for the Warm Home Discount. Martin Lewis at the moneyexpert.com gives a good explanation that might help www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/03/w...e-discount-reforms-/
BIS
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- Allison Allford
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1 year 11 months ago #277104 by Allison Allford
Replied by Allison Allford on topic Warm home discount
Hi Tess, I find myself in the same situation this year. Previous years as you stated, you put your application in to the energy company you are with and they made the decision depending on your benefits.
This year the government has made alterations to the eligibility criteria.
You still have to be on the benefits BUT it comes down to the size of your home.
This is the government website used to check your eligibility.
www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-for-warm-home-discount
I used this and it stated my home (a small bungalow) is 38sq. I rang the help line as I thought it must be wrong, all they said was no not eligible and the government has change the criteria, then they hung up!
I am assuming that it is worked out on the size of the home, maybe if I had a bigger home I would qualify?
The thing is many people who live alone or with a partner in council/housing association only have small homes because of the bedroom tax, so these people, you and me included are going to miss out on the £150 towards their winter energy bills. As usual it is those who can least afford it will miss out. I hope this helps Tess
This year the government has made alterations to the eligibility criteria.
You still have to be on the benefits BUT it comes down to the size of your home.
This is the government website used to check your eligibility.
www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-for-warm-home-discount
I used this and it stated my home (a small bungalow) is 38sq. I rang the help line as I thought it must be wrong, all they said was no not eligible and the government has change the criteria, then they hung up!
I am assuming that it is worked out on the size of the home, maybe if I had a bigger home I would qualify?
The thing is many people who live alone or with a partner in council/housing association only have small homes because of the bedroom tax, so these people, you and me included are going to miss out on the £150 towards their winter energy bills. As usual it is those who can least afford it will miss out. I hope this helps Tess
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- Gary
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1 year 11 months ago #277121 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Warm home discount
Hi Tess
Click on BIS's link, it will take you to Money Saving Expert website which gives a good explanation.
From winter 2022/23, this payment will increase to £150 but only those with high energy costs who claim a means-tested benefit - where your eligibility to claim (and how much money you then receive) depends on your income and savings - will be eligible.
The Government says this means an additional 750,000 households will receive the rebate due to those on housing benefit, which is a means-tested benefit, now being able to claim.
But those with disabilities who only claim personal independence payments, attendance allowance or disability living allowance, which are not means-tested, will no longer get the warm home discount - affecting 290,000 existing claimants. To keep getting the rebate, you'll need to have high energy bills AND be eligible for one of the qualifying means-tested benefits.
Gary
Click on BIS's link, it will take you to Money Saving Expert website which gives a good explanation.
From winter 2022/23, this payment will increase to £150 but only those with high energy costs who claim a means-tested benefit - where your eligibility to claim (and how much money you then receive) depends on your income and savings - will be eligible.
The Government says this means an additional 750,000 households will receive the rebate due to those on housing benefit, which is a means-tested benefit, now being able to claim.
But those with disabilities who only claim personal independence payments, attendance allowance or disability living allowance, which are not means-tested, will no longer get the warm home discount - affecting 290,000 existing claimants. To keep getting the rebate, you'll need to have high energy bills AND be eligible for one of the qualifying means-tested benefits.
Gary
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