Warm Home Discount

OAP49

Hi everyone, can you help me? I am a pensioner who was awarded Warm Home Discount, a benefit of £140 paid direct to the supplier. In October I changed supplier from NPower to Eon. The same month NPower paid all eligible customers money into their account, I did not receive mine. When I enquired they said they had the paperwork, but as I had left them, they had until the end of March to pay me this money. Today I received my final bill, total amount £11.44. This is to cover the period 22nd Sept - 8th Oct and the amount is to be taken out of my account after 15th Dec 2015. There is no mention of the £140? When I telephoned them I was told it wasn't their responsibility as I had left them but, according to Gov.com. it is their responsibility because I was with them at a relevant date in July. I need this money to pay Eon as I haven't built up any credit with them to see me through the winter months. I cannot help wondering if there are others out there in the same situation and are they hoping we will forget about it over Christmas.

poppasmurf_bewdley

The date in July is only relevant if you are in the Core Group. Are you?

If you are not, then you have lost the award because you changed supplier before you received it.

OAP49

Thanks for getting back to me. Yes I am in the Core Group. Not surprisingly when I tried the NPower customer services they don't understand it.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

OAP49 wrote: »

Thanks for getting back to me. Yes I am in the Core Group. Not surprisingly when I tried the NPower customer services they don't understand it.

Hiya OAP49 and welcome to E.ON

I'm sorry you're struggling with this.

We've got lot's of info on the website about the warm home discount and it may help when you contact your previous supplier.

I can't post links, but this may help..

If you're in the Core Group and expecting an automatic discount:

The company that supplied your electricity on 12 July 2015 is responsible for giving you the discount, even if you’re now with another supplier. If we were your supplier and you've now left us you’ll normally get this as a cheque.

Let me know if you need me though

Helena

OAP49

Thank you Helena, I cannot help but wonder how many people are going through this same experience, many elderly will just give up, thinking they must not be eligible.
Are NPower putting profit before people's welfare?
Are past customer being penalised for changing providers?
Is this money being kept in NPower's bank account gaining interest at the expense of people who depend on this money to see them through the winter?
I will read the information on the Eon site and keep you informed but personally I would rather not get a cheque off NPower as the last one they sent me they then cancelled the day before it was due to clear my bank!

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

OAP49 wrote: »

Thank you Helena, I cannot help but wonder how many people are going through this same experience, many elderly will just give up, thinking they must not be eligible.
Are NPower putting profit before people's welfare?
Are past customer being penalised for changing providers?
Is this money being kept in NPower's bank account gaining interest at the expense of people who depend on this money to see them through the winter?
I will read the information on the Eon site and keep you informed but personally I would rather not get a cheque off NPower as the last one they sent me they then cancelled the day before it was due to clear my bank!

I understand,

I can't comment on other suppliers though, I'm sorry.

The information I've given you is the way things are supposed to work. No one should be penalised for changing supplier and miss out on what their entitled to.

I hope they can sort this out for you, I really do.

Helena

vlad

the advice has always been NOT to change supplier whilst claiming WHD

poppasmurf_bewdley

vlad wrote: »

the advice has always been NOT to change supplier whilst claiming WHD

From who?

I changed last year in December and got the Discount.

vlad

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

From who?

I changed last year in December and got the Discount.

there are exceptions to all rules :T

poppasmurf_bewdley

vlad wrote: »

the advice has always been NOT to change supplier whilst claiming WHD

I repeat. Who has advised this?

OAP49

Sorry folk, didn't mean to cause an argument. As I understand it, if you were part of the Core group (as I am) on the 12 July 2015 then the supplier you were with pays the WHD, whether you are still with them or not. See Helena above. It would be better not to change provider until they pay out, however, what if your payment plan with them has come to and end and you want to change to a cheaper supplier? Perhaps the rule you mention, not to change suppliers, is for what they call the Broader group?