THOUSANDS of British Gas customers are still waiting for the £140 Warm Home Discount weeks after the scheme closed.
The supplier has confirmed that some prepayment meter households still haven’t got the money, which should have been received by March 31.
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Struggling families can get £140 off their energy bills through the Warm Home Discount.
The scheme opens in the autumn and the discount has to be applied by the end of March each year.
Eligible British Gas customers who are on prepayment meters are sent a barcode to get the £140 credit top up.
However, thousands are still waiting for those codes almost two weeks after the deadline passed.
Gas and electricity bills have soared after the energy price cap jumped 54% on April 1.
That’s added around £700 a year on to the average household energy bill.
British Gas said affected households should receive their barcodes this week.
“We are aware that a small number of our prepayment customers have not yet received the barcode needed to get the credit on their meter,” British Gas said.
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“They need not worry or get in touch, we can confirm these barcodes have been issued and will be with them within the next couple of days. We’re very sorry for the delay, we know that it’s a very difficult time.”
If you haven’t received the discount, but you’re not a prepayment meter customer – for example, if you pay by direct debit – you should contact British Gas.
How can I get the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount scheme has closed but will reopen in October.
The way it is run is changing in the autumn, with different eligibility criteria and a £10 hike.
Households will get £150 rather than £140 in the next batch of payments.
There are two categories of people who can get the discount.
Some people are in the “core group” and are automatically eligible for the help and don’t have to apply.
That includes people who get the guarantee credit element of pension credit.
But others will have to make a claim to their supplier and the eligibility criteria differs depending on which firm you’re with.
Previously, people who claimed Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments could get the cash if it was included in their supplier’s criteria.
But now they will have to claim another, means-tested, benefit to qualify.
From October, there will be a second “core group” of people benefits including housing benefit and Universal Credit.
Those households will have the level of their energy costs taken into account before the payment is granted.
Look out for announcements from your energy supplier for more information about the eligibility criteria and to check when applications open later this year.
What other help can I get with energy bills?
There is support available if you’re worried about paying your energy bills.
Contact your energy supplier as a first step, as many of them have hardship funds or can offer other support.
For example, British Gas has a £6million pot of cash to help struggling customers.
It will write off energy debts of up to £750, with 2,450 grants awarded so far.
The average amount paid out to date is £524 per customer, and a further 1,000 payments are set to be made this month.
You should also check that you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to.
Make sure you’re not missing out on any extra cash by using an online benefits calculator.
Doing a grants search could help you find cash to pay for gas and electricity bills.
The government announced a support package for households earlier this year.
In total, 80% of families are entitled to a £150 council tax rebate that will be paid from this month – although some people have reported delays.
Everyone will get a £200 energy bill refund in October but this is a loan and will have to be repaid in instalments.
The Household Support Fund, which helps families with the rising cost of living, has been extended.
To find out what support is available in your area, contact your local council.
Making your home more energy efficient is a good way of saving money.
Check whether you can reduce your energy use with a simple trick such as putting foil behind your radiator.
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