Electricity warm home discount

adrienne1945

Before the traditionalists start screaming at me I KNOW this is not a grabbit but I think it could help a lot of people, as I have been chasing my tail trying to find out how to apply for this new government inspired scheme. So if it doesn't apply to you don't bother reading it then you won't need to moan about it. This is a copy of an answer I gave to a query on another board but I thought it may help a lot of this board's readers who may qualify. .

I'm with Southern Electric and went to their website yesterday morning (in desperation as I had been going round in circles with the gov.uk site!) and they have a form to fill in which is very short and easy so I filled it in. No doubt all other suppliers will have one on their sites. Late yesterday afternoon I had a telephone call from a lovely lady telling me that I qualified and she would be sending me further details, also she has changed me to paperless billing which also saves 1% - Every little helps. What wonderful fast customer service I was definitely impressed. I sometimes think I must be blinkered with my head in the sand; as the only place I learn about so many things available to me, and obviously many others, and are of great importance, is on MSE. Even if you aren't sure whether or not you are entitled, it has to be worth just taking 5 minutes to fill in this form to find out. It really is easy.:)

jetty

What is it? lol. Do they reduce your bills? And how do i know if it applies to me?

WontPayFullPriceShell

http://www.southern-electric.co.uk/WarmHomeDiscountApplication EASY TO APPLY FOR.. Always worth a shot. If you're entitled then Fab, if you're not then nothing changes Unfortunately we're Not, And our bills cost us a bomb!

kit

Thanks OP. I didnt know about this and should be eligible for it .... have applied

adrienne1945

jetty wrote: »

What is it? lol. Do they reduce your bills? And how do i know if it applies to me?

The Coalition Government committed to use these powers provided for by the Energy Act 2010. In March 2011 it established a scheme, called the Warm Home Discount, to run from 1 April 2011 until March 2015.The scheme will offer a rebate off electricity bills for customers in two distinct groups. The first group is the “Core Group” which consists of older pensioner households on low-incomes who are in receipt of a subset of pension credit; it is a clearly defined group. The second group is the “Broader Group” which will be left to energy suppliers to define, but which may include low income families and those with long-term illnesses and disabilities. Both groups will be granted a rebate of £120 in Year 1, £130 in Year 2, £135 in Year 3 and £140 in Year 4 off their electricity bills.

moomoominx

Not the same thing i know but just as a tag on - did people know that british gas have a goverment funded scheme - i had a brand new boiler fitted - energy efficient - all for free - you have to be in receipt of working tax - or child tax/ child benefit. I couldnt belive it if im honest as our boiler has been in need of replacing for about 4 years.Not a quick turn around i had to wait about 11 months in all - as you have someone round to check the state of your boiler and other things - wall cavity insulation - loft insulation etc,proof of tax credits etc and then wait to hear back from them not sure if there is still funding but may be worth ringing them up - but remember your bolier has to be unfixable - old or not working - sorry this is quite vague but i know its out there as mine was fitted in june!

moomoominx

http://www.homeheatingguide.co.uk/boiler-central-heating-grants.html

jetty

I'm with N-Power and all i could find was a grant to replace old boilers

Possession

moomoominx wrote: »

Not the same thing i know but just as a tag on - did people know that british gas have a goverment funded scheme - i had a brand new boiler fitted - energy efficient - all for free - you have to be in receipt of working tax - or child tax/ child benefit. I couldnt belive it if im honest as our boiler has been in need of replacing for about 4 years.Not a quick turn around i had to wait about 11 months in all - as you have someone round to check the state of your boiler and other things - wall cavity insulation - loft insulation etc,proof of tax credits etc and then wait to hear back from them not sure if there is still funding but may be worth ringing them up - but remember your bolier has to be unfixable - old or not working - sorry this is quite vague but i know its out there as mine was fitted in june!

We get both child & working tax credit but it says you need these which we don't get:
may be available to the following: Those awarded:

• Pension Credit or;
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) that includes a work-related activity or support component

And those awarded:

• Income support or;
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) in the first 13 week assesment phase or;
• Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)

But who must also have one of the following:

• Pensioner premium or;
• Severe disability or disability premium, or;
• a child tax credit award including a disabled or severly disabled child or young person element
• living with a child under the age of 5

adrienne1945

Possession wrote: »

We get both child & working tax credit but it says you need these which we don't get:
may be available to the following: Those awarded:

• Pension Credit or;
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) that includes a work-related activity or support component

And those awarded:

• Income support or;
• Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) in the first 13 week assesment phase or;
• Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)

But who must also have one of the following:

• Pensioner premium or;
• Severe disability or disability premium, or;
• a child tax credit award including a disabled or severly disabled child or young person element
• living with a child under the age of 5

If you need it, and can't afford it APPLY APPLY APPLY it costs nothing to apply and you never know you may just fit into a category that is eligible. "If you don't ask you don't get", as my dear old mum used to say. There is so much out there that we never seem to hear about. If it wasn't for Martin I think thousands of us would be struggling to keep our heads above water far more than we are.

[Deleted User]

This is pretty much a grabbit as its grab a cheaper rate of electricity / gas if you are entitled to it!

Although its not an actual lower rate , the rebate does HELP get people through the winter

I am with British Gas and the only thing I don't understand is why the rebate is given on your ELECTRIC meter rather than your gas as to keep warm surely a nice credit of £120 on your gas meter would help you get through the colder months in heating rather than the credit being on your electricity meter

I spoke to a nice lady @ BG and she said that those already on the essentials tariff will be getting a phone call to check they are eligble for the Warm Homes Discount & then it should all go ahead

Then after that point you do NOT get a REDUCED tariff but pay the same for your gas and electricity as every one else ie the standard rate but then just get a rebate on your electricity meter once a year and she confirmed it was £120 so works out at £10 per month

I am actually MOVING home this winter to a smaller place as live in a big old very draughty victorian house which is an ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE to heat , so its the only solution for me as I won't actually be saving a load of money on the scheme if am paying the standard rate of gas and electricity which is sky high anyway and the rebate would only last for a few months then back to paying sky high prices again afterwards! :(