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:

britannia-hotels listed on couponmatrix.ukfirebox listed on couponmatrix.ukflip-out listed on couponmatrix.ukhealthspan listed on couponmatrix.ukmandco listed on couponmatrix.uktheatre-tickets-direct listed on couponmatrix.uk
britannia-hotels listed on couponmatrix.ukBritannia Hotels specialise in converting some of Britain’s most iconic buildings into hotel accommodation. Since their first hotel was converted in South Manchester in 1976, Britannia Hotels have expanded across the country and now offer a staggering 10,000 bedrooms to guests in diverse locations around the UK. Some of their most prestigious buildings include Bosworth Hall in Warwickshire, the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool and the Britannia Hotel in Hampstead. Could it be time to treat yourself and activate your brittania hotels discount code to find out just how easy it is to get away from it all and taste the high life.
firebox listed on couponmatrix.ukEvery person is unique, so opt for a generic present? At Firebox you'll find the best in weird, wacky and wonderful gifts for people with imagination. With thousands of products to check out, Firebox have something for any occasion. With a Firebox discount code from us you can enjoy great gifts for less. Whether you’re looking for funny games, home gadgets, cute home decor or stylish stationery, you'll find just the thing at Firebox.
flip-out listed on couponmatrix.ukWith a floor of trampolines, stunt zones and even resident DJs, your bundles of energy will love Flip Out?—the nation’s best-loved trampoline park. Packed with activities, your booking will cost less than you think with our Flip Out discount codes. We update our page regularly with the best sales and offers, including NHS discount codes, so if you check Groupon first they’ll get to dance, play and bounce for the best price!
healthspan listed on couponmatrix.ukAs the UK's largest supplier of nutrition, vitamins and supplements, Healthspan have already established a reputation for quality healthcare, pet health goods and skincare. With the a Healthspan voucher code you can save on supplements, performance-enhancing proteins and plenty more to ensure you're at your best physical condition for the smallest possible price. Whether you're looking to relieve symptoms of a medical condition, improve the condition of your skin or hair, or looking to bolster a healthy diet with essential vitamins, Healthspan has what you need.
mandco listed on couponmatrix.ukGrown organically from a small family business, M&Co has been creating and designing great-value everyday fashions for over 50 years. Combining style, quality and affordability, the M&Co online store delivers contemporary fashions that will please even the edgiest of trendsetters. Fill your basket with an M&Co discount code and refresh your wardrobe with handpicked delights for a fraction of the price. From lingerie to outerwear, M&Co has everything you need to make a fashion statement for less.
theatre-tickets-direct listed on couponmatrix.ukA trip to the theatre is a unique experience; the chatter of the excited audience in the foyer; the velour-lined seats and painted ceilings; the buzzing tension as the lights dim and the curtain rises. Now, thanks to Theatre Tickets Direct, you can enjoy that enthralling feeling without emptying your bank account. Pop a Theatre Tickets Direct promo code into your next booking and enjoy the show knowing you’ve grabbed the best-priced tickets on the market. Find your perfect seat with Theatre Tickets Direct and join the half-a-million happy customers today.