Consumers eligible for the £140 Warm Home Discount are running out of time to apply, as some of the biggest energy suppliers have already reached capacity, according to Uswitch.
EDF Energy, Scottish Power, Utilita and E have all closed their schemes with EDF saying it has reached the maximum number of applications for this year.
Other major suppliers are still open to applications including British Gas, Eon Next, Octopus Energy and Shell Energy.
Customers of Bulb, which went into administration in November, can also still apply to its scheme.
Customers eligible for the Warm Home Discount are encouraged to see if they can apply now
The Warm Home Discount aims to reduce fuel poverty by providing low-income households with a £140 discount on their energy bills.
Elderly people who receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit automatically receive the discount.
However, people on income support or other allowances – who typically make up the broader group – have to apply to their participating energy supplier in order to access the money.
Previous Uswitch research found there is a widespread lack of knowledge about the Warm Home Discount Scheme, leading many to miss out.
Anyone who believes they are eligible should apply as soon as they can, as the scheme is operated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
There is a fixed pot of money to be distributed, which this year has risen with inflation from £351million to £357million. Qualifying applicants will have their rebates paid by 31 March 2022.
Despite some Warm Home Discount schemes now closing, a number of suppliers have grant schemes open to help consumers who are in debt.
These schemes can help customers pay off debts, or even buy replacement appliances or repair gas boilers.
| Supplier | Grant scheme | Details |
|---|---|---|
| British Gas | British Gas Energy Trust | Available to both British Gas customers and customers of other energy suppliers who are struggling to pay off gas or electricity debt. |
| EDF Energy | EDF Energy Customer Support Fund | Helps customers stay out of fuel debt and afford ongoing energy costs. Also offers grants for essential energy efficient white goods. |
| E.ON | E.ON Energy Fund | Helps existing or previous customers pay current or final E.ON bills, replace appliances and repair gas boilers. |
| E.ON Next | E.ON Next Energy Fund | For E.ON Next customers who are experiencing financial hardship and helps by paying gas and electricity bills through grants or providing a replacement appliance. |
| OVO Energy | OVO Energy Fund | Helps people with who have fallen behind with their energy payments to OVO. |
| Scottish Power | Scottish Power Hardship Fund | Helps Scottish Power customers struggling to pay off debt by clearing or reducing arrears. |
| Source: Uswitch | ||
How to apply for the Warm Home Discount
● Check you are eligible: The Government’s website explains the eligibility criteria in general terms, both for those who automatically qualify as part of the Core Group and those in the Broader Group who must apply to their supplier. Check with your supplier for the specific requirements, as providers can have slightly different eligibility criteria.
● Contact your supplier: If you believe you qualify as part of the Broader Group, check with your supplier as early as possible to see if you’re eligible and how to apply.
● Fill in the form: Fill in the Warm Home Discount form provided by your energy supplier as soon as possible.
● Receive the rebate: Your supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2022.
Justina Miltienyte, energy policy expert at Uswitch, said: ‘Eligible consumers have moved swiftly to apply for the Warm Home Discount this year, which means some supplier schemes are already at capacity and closed to further applications.
‘If you believe you are eligible for the discount, and your supplier is still accepting applications, we recommend that you apply for it as soon as possible.
‘If your supplier has closed applications but you still need help with your energy bills, you may still fit the criteria under their grant scheme. You should visit their website to see if you are eligible for support.’
