Warm Home Discount Scheme 2022 - confusing info

moirahay

I wonder if members can throw any light on this conundrum please? I am a Pensioner (72) on Guaranteed Pension Credit. This means I am one of the 'core group' who qualify for the government's Warm Home Discount scheme. My energy supplier (OVO) is a participating company. When I phoned OVO a few weeks ago I was told the WHD scheme would open for applications during September 2022 and I should apply to them, by phone. When I phoned OVO yesterday, I was advised the scheme would not be opening until November 2022. I haven't applied for this before as I was only awarded GPC last October, so would not have been eligible. The .gov site confirms that applications have indeed been postponed until November, but cannot offer further up-to-date information (the page will be updated in due course). Going by last year's procedure, individuals within the core group were prioritised and automatically notified by letter (on how to apply, presumably) during October to December. In contrast, during my conversation with OVO, even tho' I am eligible, I have been told (I quote) that the scheme is "a bit of a lottery" and offers no guarantee that one will be awarded the discount, particularly if demand is high. 'First come, first served' was the phrase that came to mind. In the current energy crisis, consumers are being encouraged to take advantage of schemes such as this, yet with everything in place (eligibility, etc), I am told I'll be lucky if I get it. So who is right? Can anyone shed any light? 

KxMx

It is first come, first served as the pot of money the energy companies allocate to it is fixed.

Jude57

British Gas are just as confusing. Their WHD page makes it seem as though only those in receipt of Pension Credit will qualify, and that they won't need to apply, but doesn't mention the wider group, whereas the gov. page includes the wider group, based on low income. It's almost as though the energy companies don't want people to apply, but that can't be true, surely? (Heavy sarcasm intended)

KxMx

This is the British Gas page i've been checking and it definitely mentions those other than PC:

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

I do not like BG at all (horrible company who i'm stuck with after moving into a property supplied by them) but it is the Government who have changed the criteria and the way the scheme works.

Jude57

KxMx said:

This is the British Gas page i've been checking and it definitely mentions those other than PC:

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

Sorry, I should have said 'Pension Credit or other qualifying benefits'. I'm not in receipt of any benefits, but do receive an occupational pension and have qualified for the WHD on the basis of low income. There's no mention on the British Gas page (the same one I've been viewing) of how those in the wider group can apply.

KxMx

The scheme has changed this year.

There will be no application process for the wider group, the criteria is a means tested benefit and "high energy costs" made up of various bits of data, it will all be done behind the scenes by data matching and anyone judged to be eligible will be contacted. Any appeals process will be outside the energy company.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6370679/warm-homes-discount/p1

Spoonie_Turtle

KxMx said:

The scheme has changed this year.

There will be no application process for the wider group, the criteria is a means tested benefit and "high energy costs" made up of various bits of data, it will all be done behind the scenes by data matching and anyone judged to be eligible will be contacted. Any appeals process will be outside the energy company.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6370679/warm-homes-discount/p1

This is correct for England and Wales. In Scotland the property data isn't available for them to do the new scheme so it will be broadly in line with previous years there.

Jude57

KxMx said:

The scheme has changed this year.

There will be no application process for the wider group, the criteria is a means tested benefit and "high energy costs" made up of various bits of data, it will all be done behind the scenes by data matching and anyone judged to be eligible will be contacted. Any appeals process will be outside the energy company.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6370679/warm-homes-discount/p1

Thanks for that, it's very informative. I've been regularly searching the site for WHD info but that thread hadn't come up so it's been very helpful of you to provide the link. 

Unfortunately, it looks as though I'm unlikely to qualify, despite my circumstances not having changed but of course, I was always in the discretionary group so as schemes change, so does entitlement. I think there'll be a lot of disappointed former recipients of WHD.

Cyclamen

KxMx said:

The scheme has changed this year.

There will be no application process for the wider group, the criteria is a means tested benefit and "high energy costs" made up of various bits of data, it will all be done behind the scenes by data matching and anyone judged to be eligible will be contacted. Any appeals process will be outside the energy company.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6370679/warm-homes-discount/p1

Oh crumbs.. that means we are unlikely to get help then, i use the WHD each year to turn the thermostat up.

We have the income related benefit, two of us on PIP but are really careful using heating and unlilely show as 'high energy usage' even though it is for us.  The council tell me annually my energy use is average when they do reviews for social care finnaces.. but 'average' usage when both of us are unable to work due to health, at home all day and need heating for staying well is still hard to pay for.. 

Putting extra layers on as advice isnt that helpful when already bundled up under duvets and blankets, a quick shower when you need someone to assist you isnt always a possibility..   

i know we have been given money already but i was banking on WHD.. to turn themostat up.

calcotti

Cyclamen said: Oh crumbs.. that means we are unlikely to get help then,

Why would you think that? You said you get guarantee Pension Credit. Therefore you will, under the changes, now get WHD automatically (provided your supplier is in the scheme).

Muttleythefrog

I assume after getting it every year, will not qualify with the 'calculation of high energy usage' after moving in to a 2 bed modern flat. Some irony in it given the background energy costs but in the scheme of things the WHD is increasingly valueless against the rises despite the £10 uplift.