Did not get Warm Home Discount from EBICO

Smodlet

"She did not know that this scheme existed. So could not contact Ebico or SSE before the cut off date.
One would have thought that Ebico or SSE has an obligation to inform their customers about any such schemes.
Even if there is no legal obligation, it would have been good cutomer service."

You are correct, and in an ideal world that is what would happen however, it could also be argued that it is in everyone's own interest to find these things out and advise the relevant bodies to ensure one does receive what one is entitled to. If someone is not in a position to do that, it is a very good thing they have someone like you, BlueMax, to step up and do it for them. As Hengus says, (with the non-savings element of guaranteed pension credit) it is the government's responsibility. This may apply to other benefits but the only one I know for sure is PC.

I have just called my provider (am I glad they're not Ebico, just had a look at their unit rates:eek:) and they say, if someone is getting a benefit which automatically entitles them to WH discount, the DWP send out one of two letters: The "matched" one says, "you receive (benefit), your supplier is (name) we have advised them you qualify for the WHD."

The "unmatched" one says, "you receive (benefit), we don't know who your supplier is, if you tell us we will inform them you qualify for the WHD." I have asked the wonderful Bob, to whom I spoke, to get on here tonight (he is a moneysaver) and add his two-bob's worth. Sorry, could not resist. I really hope this helps.

Blue_Max

Hengus wrote: »

Forgive me for asking this, but how does a supplier know whether a customer is a millionaire or on benefits? Surely, it is the Government's responsibility to do what it can to make sure that low income families are aware of the benefits that are available?

Initially, supplier need not know. What they could do is to inform all their customers about the existence os such as scheme. Customers who think they may qualify can then proceed with the application.
Yes, the Government do have a resposibility. Persumably they write to those who receive benefits. So they could include this information without too much cost.
But rather than passing or washing their hands off, energy supplier could inform their customers. That is good customer service.

JJ_Egan

The way it worked for me this year with Ovo was they wrote to me saying i no longer qualified automatically . However i could submit a claim based upon income . That was not qualified either .Basically not qualified as i no longer receive the Guaranteed element of Pension Credit .
Warm home team and Pension service confirmed that .

Richie-from-the-Boro

Pension Guarantee Credit

- two elements, (2) guaranteed element & (2) savings element
- guaranteed element and name [or partners name] on the leccy bill, you are 'core group' and you get the discount
- your leccy supplier is informed directly by DWP
- you are informed directly by DWP by snail mail brown envelope

Pension Savings Credit

Savings element only of pension credit, and anyone else, satisfying the low income means tested scheme can apply direct to their supplier for this limited number discretionary separate 'broader group' scheme approved by Ofgem, paid before 31st March 2016 subject to scheme criteria being met. The 2016-2017 scheme is already approved and is broadly similar.

Smodlet

What you said, Richie, 'cos it's what I said.

Blue_Max

Thanks Richie and Smodlet.
It is possible that the elderly lady did not read the letter from DWP.
Seems that she lost out for the last four years or ever since the scheme came out.
Is there a way to claim back the loss for the previous years?!

Smodlet

Wow. I'm thinkin' this might be one for Mr. Lewis... or you could possibly try appealing to SSE's better nature:rotfl: and mention this is on MSE... just a thought. I have no idea but could you/someone try ringing the DWP to see if they could do anything? I think trying to "back-claim" the WHD might be a step too far but, as my wonderful OH taught me, "if you don't ask the question, the answer's "no"."

I hope I punctuated that last correctly but have a feeling I didn't.

Blue_Max

I had emailed Ebico and also spoke to Southern Electric. But did not get very far. There is a phone number in the Pension Credit letter. I don't know if they are allowed to talk to me about another person but I will give it a try.
Next issue is the boiler. I changed the thermocouple last year to get it working. It must be over 25 years old and might qualify for replacement under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme, I read here at MSE.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Blue_Max wrote: »

Thanks Richie and Smodlet.
It is possible that the elderly lady did not read the letter from DWP.
Seems that she lost out for the last four years or ever since the scheme came out.
Is there a way to claim back the loss for the previous years?!

Only if the DWP were at fault, I have never heard of the DWP being at fault. Your friend was clearly 'broader' group, broader group is nothing to do with the state.

Your friend should apply each and every separate year for the 'broader group' WHD, it has a means testing criteria for entry then a limited amount of people it can be offered to. Contact the provider and make a new application for the 2016-2017 allocation. Do it now, and follow up the application to check + double check Best of luck.

Blue_Max

@ Richie
Pension Credit letter from DWP state, "Your Pension Credit award consists only of the savings credit". So I guess she falls in to the 'broader group'. Wish they had explained about having to claim; like you did.
Ebico website say, "The Warm Home Discount scheme is currently under review and further information on next year’s scheme will be published on this page."
In the reply to my email, Ebico said, "The Warm home discount is dealt with by our supply and billing partners SSE. Please contact them for further information on 0800 300111."
The guy at the SSE said something about applying after July this year.