Warm Home Discount 2022/2023

ZEW44

I have received the WHD for several years now, however despite being in receipt of the qualifying benefits I have been informed I am not eligible this year as my home is deemed too small by the DWP. 

I have been waiting for the WHD and it was only that I happened to see an online article from the Guardian about people being left out in the cold with the WHD it was then I decided to make contact with them after reading people's experiences of no longer being eligible where they once were. 

I did the online eligibility check on gov.uk and was told no so rang the WHD line where it was verbally confirmed to me. I was informed previously where energy companies worked out people's eligibility using their own calculations, this year as the DWP are handling it they have introduced a new component that takes into consideration the energy performance certificate for the property and size and based on that my home isn't big enough so I have been refused the payment. 

I live in a studio flat, essentially one main living/kitchen/sleeping room and a separate bathroom. The building is poorly maintained with no insulation which takes a lot to keep warm as it doesn't retain heat. The lady said sorry, but the DWPs decisions on this are final and cannot be appealed or reconsidered.

I was totally unaware that this was the case this year. Was this announced before now? I feel it to be kind of sneaky as was completely unaware. All I knew was the info from Bulbs website saying there is no need to apply for the WHD this year as the DWP will automatically do it. Frustrating!

Jyana

Yes, this was announced last spring, details about it are here on the site - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6348652/government-changes-eligibility-criteria-for-the-warm-home-discount-check-to-see-if-you-can-get-it/

I think you'll find a lot of people affected by it and aren't particularly happy. I am one person no longer able to claim it and am just thankful for the rest of the COL payments instead.

ZEW44

Jyana said:

Yes, this was announced last spring, details about it are here on the site - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6348652/government-changes-eligibility-criteria-for-the-warm-home-discount-check-to-see-if-you-can-get-it/

I think you'll find a lot of people affected by it and aren't particularly happy. I am one person no longer able to claim it and am just thankful for the rest of the COL payments instead.

Thank you. Ah last Spring..... No wonder I don't recall it now. Yes there are a lot of unhappy people out there being told they aren't eligible. I too am grateful for the COL payments. 🙏

Mstty

If you rent then the property must at least be an EPC E, has this been provided to you by your landlord.

In addition have you contacted your local council for any schemes they have to improve buildings. You can source this information and pass it onto your landlord as there could be some free schemes to draw upon to increase the efficiency of the property.

ZEW44

Mstty said:

If you rent then the property must at least be an EPC E, has this been provided to you by your landlord.

In addition have you contacted your local council for any schemes they have to improve buildings. You can source this information and pass it onto your landlord as there could be some free schemes to draw upon to increase the efficiency of the property.

Thank you for the information. I checked on the government website and my energy performance rating is D. I think there is one place in this building that is showing as E. I will look into the council schemes. Thanks again.

Spoonie_Turtle

ZEW44 said:

I did the online eligibility check on gov.uk and was told no so rang the WHD line where it was verbally confirmed to me. I was informed previously where energy companies worked out people's eligibility using their own calculations, this year as the DWP are handling it they have introduced a new component that takes into consideration the energy performance certificate for the property and size and based on that my home isn't big enough so I have been refused the payment. 

This is not correct. 

The property calculation is based on age,  type and size.  The reason the online eligibility checker refers to the EPC is because that's where someone can find those data to be able to complete the checker. 
The actual calculation does not take the EPC rating into account (the consultation on the scheme reform says it's because not enough homes have them).

Chrysalis

I have in a private group been looking at notes where we all been analysing things like GCH costs, its a fairly consistent pattern a F rated small flat can easily consume more than a C rated semi.  WHD has been completely screwed up, but hopefully it will get addressed by a future government.