Warm Home Discount

foduk

Over the past few years I have been accepted for the Warm Home Discount Scheme within the broader group category with both the Co-Op and more recently with Octopus.
I applied again back in November, but as of today the status is still "Pending". I asked Octopus when they could let me know (either way). They replied with a short message that with discretionary discounts, they have until the end of March to decide.
In effect, that means, bearing in mind the very high tariffs, you have to go through the winter using the heating cautiously-just in case your request is denied! Surely, the whole point of WHD is to use the discount which encourages you to keep your home warmer, but if you don't know you are getting it until the winter is over, it has served no purpose.

Patrick_David

I have qualified for Warmer Home Discount - until now
I am on the higher rate of Universal Credit due to a life-limiting illness but it appears the DWP has decided my council-owned one-bedroomed flat is warm enough.  The rules have changed.
During the last cold snap I did everything I could to limit my fuel usage:  stuck to my bedroom with a radiator on and off; limted showers to every-other day; and stuck to microwaveable meals.
I could no longer stand it when I realised I was becoming anxious when venturing into the kitchen and the final straw was when I considered wearing a coat when going to the toilet.
Thanks to the £400 contribution (£60 odd quid per month) from the government I managed to pay my bill for Aug to OCT.  I also checked with SSE that I would receive my Warm House Discount for 22/23 and they told me I would.  So I was confident enough about my ability to pay and so put on the heating in the bathroom and, occassionally, kitchen.  The WHD and the Gov support would make it affordable.
I have now learned I shan't be getting be getting WHD because of the rule changes.
Have they limited the numbers in order to help pay for the Government support which goes to EVERYONE, including the very rich?  The Government certainly hasn't said much about this change and I can't remember reading about it anywhere.
Sorry if I have rambled on.  Very upset.

Spoonie_Turtle

foduk said:

Over the past few years I have been accepted for the Warm Home Discount Scheme within the broader group category with both the Co-Op and more recently with Octopus.
I applied again back in November, but as of today the status is still "Pending". I asked Octopus when they could let me know (either way). 

Are you in Scotland?  Last winter when I applied (in England, before the scheme changed) it took about 9 weeks to hear back, quite a change from the <24hrs it took in 2021!

Patrick_David said:

Have they limited the numbers in order to help pay for the Government support which goes to EVERYONE, including the very rich? 

No, not at all.  The reform was already planned (I found reference to it in a white paper from 2020), the timing of implementing it was just really really bad with the cost of living crisis. 

Consultation here, which gives the reasoning behind the choices made  https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/warm-home-discount-better-targeted-support-from-2022
And eligibility info here, including a spreadsheet of all the property characteristics combinations  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales
You'll see flats have to be really old (mostly pre-1919) and/or really big to qualify.