Warm Home Discount-Has it changed?

skint_kezza

Hello

Can anyone help me?

I have received the warm home discount, with no hassle, for at least 3 years, with a couple of different suppliers.

I have recently changed from OVO to E-on, to try to cap cheaper rates for the next year.
I went to try to apply for the warm home discount and I'm now finding that I don't fit into the tick boxes.

Has the qualification for this scheme changed this year?

I am chronically ill, live only on Contribution related ESA and now a small amount of PIP (after losing 3/4's of it, now appealing), so my income is just over £500 a month.

So surely in that situation I would be deemed to be in need of the extra help?

Do the company themselves have their own criteria to help those on very low incomes?
Is the qualification tick list the same for all companies? As i've never had these problems before.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

footyguy

I don't believe there has been any change in the acceptance criteria for the 'Core Group'

Am I correct to assume you were not eligible under the 'Core Group' criteria?

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

skint_kezza

footyguy wrote: »

I don't believe there has been any change in the acceptance criteria for the 'Core Group'

Am I correct to assume you were not eligible under the 'Core Group' criteria?

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

That's right. Only Income related ESA is accepted,not contribution.

So I know I qualify for the broader criteria, but when I asked someone on E-on live chat about that, he said that the DWP set the criteria and I should speak to them. I know that isn't the case as i'm sure each company has their own criteria for the broader group.

footyguy

skint_kezza wrote: »

That's right. Only Income related ESA is accepted,not contribution.

So I know I qualify for the broader criteria, but when I asked someone on E-on live chat about that, he said that the DWP set the criteria and I should speak to them. I know that isn't the case as i'm sure each company has their own criteria for the broader group.

So you already knew? :huh:

Or did you get that info from following the link I provided?

How to apply

Your electricity supplier decides who can get the discount - check with your supplier to see if you’re eligible and how to apply.


Check with your supplier as early as possible. The number of discounts suppliers can give are limited.

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/low-income

skint_kezza

footyguy wrote: »

So you already knew? :huh:

Or did you get that info from following the link I provided?

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/low-income

I read the link you provided.

I just need to know if the companies set their own criteria for the "broader" group? As i'm getting conflicting information.

If I know the actual facts, then I can ring them again and try to get someone who knows what they are talking about.

fredandwilma

footyguy wrote: »

So you already knew? :huh:

Or did you get that info from following the link I provided?

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/low-income

skint_kezza wrote: »

I read the link you provided.

I just need to know if the companies set their own criteria for the "broader" group? As i'm getting conflicting information.

If I know the actual facts, then I can ring them again and try to get someone who knows what they are talking about.

The link provided states:

Your electricity supplier decides who can get the discount - check with your supplier to see if you’re eligible and how to apply.

It's more likely to be this, posted on the other thread?

fredandwilma wrote: »

Hi skint kezza,

The only discrepancy i can see is you say you have Contribution ESA. The qualifying criteria is for Income Related ESA.

This also applies to OVO and the other energy suppliers - Income Related ESA.

https://www.ovoenergy.com/ovo-answers/topics/payments-and-statements/payments/am-i-eligible-for-the-warm-home-discount.html

https://www.eonenergy.com/for-your-home/saving-energy/need-little-extra-help/warm-home-discount/warm-home-discount-form

https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/energy-saving/warm-home-discount.html

The energy companies do ask for permission to check your qualifying benefits.

hth

f&w

The OP states:

skint kezza
I am chronically ill, live only on Contribution related ESA and now a small amount of PIP (after losing 3/4's of it, now appealing), so my income is just over £500 a month.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Good morning skint kezza,

Thank you guys for the information and the links

[FONT=&quot]With the Broader Group, we identify the customers who are eligible based on their receipt of certain benefits. These conditions can change year on year and customers need to apply separately each year. Applications aren't rolled over from year to year. More details of what's needed to qualify are available on our website. I know the other posters have posted some links for you.

We have kept applications open for an extra 2 weeks. [/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]We've only got a certain quota for Broader Group payments and, once we've reached this number, we'll close our scheme. Broader Group applications are awarded on a first come, first served basis.
[/FONT]
Each energy supplier involved with Warm Home Discount handles the Broader Group part in their own way and with their own time frame and conditions.

I understand you've spoken to us on Live chat and we didn't help you very well, so I'm sorry about this. It sounds like they may had adv[FONT=&quot]ised you to speak to the DWP, bu[FONT=&quot]t to establish the the exact benefits you receive.[/FONT][/FONT]

You may wish to phone or to look at the links and the website as all of the information is there for you.

If you do need me, please ask.

Thank you

Helena
[/FONT]

skint_kezza

fredandwilma wrote: »

The link provided states:



It's more likely to be this, posted on the other thread?



The OP states:

Thank you for your reply.

I'm just confused as to why i'm having such a problem getting it this year, when i've been on contribution ESA for years and got the warm home discount easily last year with OVO.

I see from your link that OVO have a qualifying criteria of a low household income with disablility benefits, but E-on doesn't.
I wish I hadn't changed suppliers now, as it's preventing me getting that help that I so desperately need now that my PIP has been reduced.

I now have to decide if it's worth the risk of changing supplier again now, and hoping that I don't miss the deadline of the new supplier for the warm home discount. I'll also lose £60 with the early exit fees from E-on.

With a cold winter coming and my needing to stay warm due to my chronic health conditions, i'm worrying how one earth i'll be able to afford to heat my home :sad:

skint_kezza

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena wrote: »

Good morning skint kezza,

Thank you guys for the information and the links

[FONT=&quot]With the Broader Group, we identify the customers who are eligible based on their receipt of certain benefits. These conditions can change year on year and customers need to apply separately each year. Applications aren't rolled over from year to year. More details of what's needed to qualify are available on our website. I know the other posters have posted some links for you.

We have kept applications open for an extra 2 weeks. [/FONT][FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]We've only got a certain quota for Broader Group payments and, once we've reached this number, we'll close our scheme. Broader Group applications are awarded on a first come, first served basis.
[/FONT]
Each energy supplier involved with Warm Home Discount handles the Broader Group part in their own way and with their own time frame and conditions.

I understand you've spoken to us on Live chat and we didn't help you very well, so I'm sorry about this. It sounds like they may had adv[FONT=&quot]ised you to speak to the DWP, bu[FONT=&quot]t to establish the the exact benefits you receive.[/FONT][/FONT]

You may wish to phone or to look at the links and the website as all of the information is there for you.

If you do need me, please ask.

Thank you

Helena
[/FONT]

Thank you for your reply Helena.

It seems that with E-on, I can only get the warm home discount if I had other benefits, whereas when I was with OVO, they allow people on very low incomes, on disability benefits to apply.
Sadly, i'm on contribution ESA rather than income related ESA, which is causing me to miss out.

I just didn't know if, as a company, E-on accepted people on very low incomes, if they didn't have the qualifying benefits. Sadly, it seems it doesn't.

CharlieBilly

Coop have a low criteria its still open.

https://www.cooperativeenergy.coop/reduce-your-bills/whd/

• In receipt of Income-based or Contribution-based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
• In receipt of Income-related or Contribution-based Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)

Enceladus

You mentioned that you receive contribution related ESA. AIUI this can also have an income related component. And if ESA is your only income (PIP is not counted) then you would probably be entitled to the income related components. If you're not getting the income related elements then you should be claiming them.

Are you in the Support Group or the Work Related Activity Group?

AIU the E.ON criteria the intent is that you would qualify if you have ESA of any flavour provided that there is also an income related component. Contribution based ESA on it's own would not qualify.

So look carefully at your most recent ESA benefit letter. How is your net payment being calculated? Is there a figure for "income related entitlement". If there is then tick the income related ESA box on the E.ON application form.