MILLIONS of households should urgently launch claims for Universal Credit to secure £150 in energy bill support this winter.
The cash support could help soften the cost of living blow for households on the lowest incomes.
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The Warm Home Discount is available to those on the lowest incomes to help with rising costs.
The discount gives households £150 off of their bills.
The deadline to qualify for the winter payment passed on Sunday August 21.
However, there’s a trick you can follow to become eligible for the payment even though the deadline has passed.
If you launch a successful claim for Universal Credit or housing benefit within the next three days, you may still be able to qualify for the energy bill discount.
This is because housing benefit and Universal Credit claims can be backdated by one month.
You’ll need to launch your claim by September 19 and then successfully get it backdated, to cover the any period up to and including the Warm Home Discount qualifying date – August 21.
In previous years, households received a £140 discount and most had to apply for the payment.
However, you no longer have to claim to get the cash and you’ll automatically qualify if you are receiving certain benefits.
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What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a £150 discount off energy bills.
You’ll qualify for the discount if you received any of the following benefits on August 21 this year:
The Department for Work and Pensions, who’s overseeing the scheme, will send you letter in October to confirm if you’ll get the payment later on in the year.
Payments for the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme will likely begin from December.
It’s up to individual energy companies to decide when they will give their customers the discount.
If you’re unsure about who supplies your energy, you can find out through Find My Supplier.
Millions are eligible for Universal Credit – so launch claims now
The amount you will get depends on several criteria, including your age, earnings, whether you live with a partner, have children or are disabled.
The standard monthly allowance for single people aged under 25 is £344, rising to £411.51 for older claimants.
Brits that are in a couple, where both members are under 25, will get £490.60 for both people.
If either half of the couple is over 25, you’ll get £596.58.
You will get extra money if you’ve got children or have a health or disability condition.
You can also claim more cash if you need help with your housing costs.
You may be able to get Universal Credit if:
- you’re on a low income or out of work
- you’re 18 or over – but there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17
- you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is)
- you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you
- you live in the UK
If you’re not eligible for Universal Credit, you can use the government’s benefits calculator to find out what help you can get.
Some can still apply for housing benefit
Housing benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.
You can only make a new claim for housing benefit if either of the following apply:
- you have reached state pension age
- you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing
Check if you’re eligible for housing benefit before you apply.
You can apply:
Check other benefits and help you can get
It’s also worth noting that millions of Brits are missing out on other benefits they’re entitled to adding up to billions of pounds in total.
Benefit calculators can help you check what you could be entitled to.
There are several benefit checker tools you can use – here’s our guide.
