Scottish homes issued £150 Warm Home Discount Scheme warning amid rising bills

The cost of living crisis continues to worry many people across the UK with bills such as shopping just one of the things on the rise. In addition, energy bills are also seeing an increase with millions keeping their heating off in a bid to avoid a large bill. Because of this, shoppers have been on the hunt for the likes of electric blankets, air fryers, and other clothing to keep themselves warm and reduce just how much energy they’re using.

READ MORE: Paolo Nutini dines at Glasgow restaurant Julie’s Kopitiam after Hairy Bikers appearance It comes as experts have been advising people to heat the person, and not the home, in a bid to save some cash. But now Money Saving Expert has reminded Scottish households on certain benefits that they can get GBP150 off their energy bills this winter under the Warm Home Discount scheme – but, unlike in England and Wales, many in Scotland still need to apply.

They also warn that people should do it as soon as possible as in some cases, it’s on a first-come, first-served basis. In an update on January 6 of this year, the MSE team say that many companies are now beginning to close their schemes so people should therefore “apply as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss out.” Here’s what they want you to know…

Sign up to Glasgow Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

Warm Home Discount scheme: How to get GBP150 off your energy bills

Sign up to Glasgow Live’s newsletter

Get all the latest Glasgow news and headlines sent straight to your inbox twice a day by signing up to our free newsletter. From breaking news to the latest on the coronavirus crisis in Scotland, we”ll have you covered. The morning newsletter arrives every day before 9am and the evening newsletter, manually curated by the team, is sent between 4pm and 5pm, giving you a round up of the most important stories we’ve covered that day.

To sign up, visit this link. According to MSE, the way the scheme works is that rather than the money being paid directly into your bank account, the GBP150 rebate is applied to your electricity bill between October and March, and if you’re on a prepay meter, you will likely be sent a top-up voucher. So how do you qualify?

According to MSE, there are two ways that you could be eligible. They are as follows: 1.

If you get the guarantee credit element of pension credit, the payment should come automatically (this is known as the ‘core group’). “The key qualifying date is August 21, 2022. You’re eligible if, on that date, you were getting pension credit, your name – or your partner’s – was on the energy bill and your supplier was part of the scheme (all firms with at least 50,000 customers are required to take part).

“You should get a letter between November 2022 and January 2023 letting you know when to expect your discount. A telephone helpline will open on 14 November if you need help or haven’t received your letter. “Are you of state pension age?

Check if you can get pension credit. If you qualify, you can still get the warm home discount if you make a claim for pension credit before 14 November 2022 and request for it to be backdated. Pension credit can also unlock many other benefits – see our Pension credit guide for full info.

2. On certain benefits? You may qualify, but you MUST APPLY (this is known as the ‘broader group’).

“If you’re on a low income and on certain means-tested benefits you may still be able to get the Warm Home Discount, but in this scenario, it won’t be paid automatically and you’ll need to apply to your energy provider. “The minimum eligibility criteria are shown in the table below, but suppliers can choose to offer the discount to more customers based on additional criteria – so it’s worth checking directly with your supplier to see if you might be eligible.”

Warm Home Discount scheme: How to apply for the discount

If you received one of the following benefits, this is the criteria you need to meet in order to qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme: Child tax credit

  • Your annual income is GBP17,005 or less and you have parental responsibility for a child under the age of five who usually lives with you
  • OR Your child tax credit has a disability element
  • OR You get a disabled child premium

Housing benefit, Income support, Income-based jobseeker’s allowance, Income-related employment and support allowance (with a support component or member of the work-related activity group)

  • You have parental responsibility for a child under the age of five who usually lives with you

  • OR you get either child tax credit with a disability element, a disabled child premium, a disability premium or a pensioner premium

Universal Credit

  • You earned GBP1,418 or less in at least one assessment period since October 2021 and you have parental responsibility for a child under the age of five who usually lives with you

  • OR you have ‘limited capability for work’ or ‘limited capability for work and work-related activity’

  • OR your universal credit has a disabled child element

Applications are open now but only for some companies.

You can see the list of who is open and which companies are closed on the MSE website here. READ NEXT: The Rig fans are all saying the same thing after Martin Compston drama launches

Uniform tax rebate and how to check if you are eligible for the discount How much tax you will be paying after April 2023? Full list of changes in Scotland

Peter Kay fans divided after heckle halts show ahead of Glasgow date this month

The weird and wonderful items guests left in their Glasgow Travelodge hotels last year

Tags:

crystal-holidays listed on couponmatrix.ukdiy-direct listed on couponmatrix.ukikea listed on couponmatrix.uktripcom listed on couponmatrix.ukvisiondirectcouk listed on couponmatrix.ukvoidu listed on couponmatrix.uk
crystal-holidays listed on couponmatrix.ukCrystal is the undisputed gold medallist when it comes to ski holidays, offering access to A-list resorts in The Alps, The Rockies and beyond. With a range of destinations spanning both hemispheres and multiple continents, a Crystal Ski discount code is all that’s needed to save on skiing trips of every variety. Voted ‘Best Large Travel Company for Ski & Winter Sports holidays’ for 2021/22, Crystal is proud to offer the greatest variety and value on icy slopes worldwide.
diy-direct listed on couponmatrix.ukWelcome to DIY Direct, the UK's leading retailer for all your home improvement needs. Shoppers can rest assured that they will find the best prices on everything from power tools to paints at DIY Direct. Whether you're a seasoned handyman or a first-time do-it-yourselfer, DIY Direct has the products and expertise to assist you with the job however big or small it may be! Looking for a DIY Direct discount code for your next purchase? You're in luck! Check out our selection of DIY Direct discount codes here, and save on everything from paint supplies to power tools. At Groupon, we understand that home improvement projects can be expensive. That's why we work hard to find the best DIY Direct discount codes and voucher codes to help you save money on your next purchase. We update our site regularly with the latest codes and deals, so be sure to check back often before starting your next project. With our help, you can get the supplies you need without breaking the bank. No matter what your next project entails, DIY Direct has the supplies you need. Some of their top-performing products are their power tools such as the Makita DHP482Z 18V Li-Ion LXT Brushless Combi Drill. This powerful little drill is perfect for a variety of tasks around the home and garden, and with our DIY Direct voucher code you can get it for an amazing price! DIY Direct voucher codes can be used on the website to purchase this and other essential tools at a reduced price. So what are you waiting for!
ikea listed on couponmatrix.ukSince IKEA first set up shop in Sweden in 1943, it has made a name for itself as the first port of call whenever nesters need new furniture and home accessories. With an astounding range of choices and creative storage solutions, IKEA has everything you need to make your house a home, so grab an IKEA discount code and bring your dream home to life without breaking the bank. From the bedroom to the bathroom, IKEA has every room of the house covered.
tripcom listed on couponmatrix.ukFind flights, hotels, attractions and all else you need to make your dream holiday a reality with Trip.com. Whether you prefer hot or cold climates, be sure to put the price of your idyllic destination down with a Trip.com promo code before booking. As well as keeping things convenient by allowing customers to book transport and accommodation through the same space, Trip.com also allows you to bundle both flights and hotels together in order to further lower the price of your trip.
visiondirectcouk listed on couponmatrix.ukVision Direct is Europe's largest online retailer of contact lenses, buying your lenses online can save you both time and money. With next day delivery as standard on all orders before 11:45pm, get your lenses sooner (and cheaper!) than with high street opticians. Grab a Vision Direct promo code and start saving - the online store stocks every major brand of contact lens with a wide range of toric (astigmatism) and multifocal lenses.
voidu listed on couponmatrix.ukVoidu is a well-known digital game store that offers PC game keys at discounted prices. They offer a wide variety of games from popular publishers such as Ubisoft, Bethesda, and Square Enix. Be it an RPG or a first-person shooter, make the most of a Voidu discount code and enjoy your favourite games without breaking the bank. With a library that includes over 4,000 titles to enjoy, rest assured you’ll never be stuck for choice when gaming with Voidu. We work hard to find the best Voidu discounts and voucher codes for our members. We search high and low for the latest Voidu deals so you can save big on the biggtest gaming releases. Be sure to browse the catalogue during the next Voidu sale to secure as much as 50% off games that’ll give you endless hours of content. In the meantime, check Groupon for the best bargains for your PC games library. Voidu offers a wide variety of titles from a multitude of publishers, so it's easy to find a great deal on everything from AAA releases to the latest indie hit. If you fancy taking a trip through the world of Norse mythology for example, you can rip and tear for less by using our newest Voidu vouchers to knock the cost God of War. Whether you’re new to the platform or are an absolute PC gaming god, you’ll find plenty to please at Voidu.