EPC for warm home discount

Spoonie_Turtle

Bjdav65 said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

GemGina said:

Bjdav65 said:

The other thing I noticed 

While looking at the EPC details on my neighbours houses was to see that some were listed as built between 1900 - 1929, some 1930 - 1949 and some 1950 - 1966 which doesn't  seem possible considering they are a row of terrace houses, all identical, you would assume they were all built together at the same time, and when checking the WHD eligibility the ones listed as 1900 - 1929 came up as eligible and the newer ones as not eligible.

I don't think they were built pre 1930s so I am assuming now that I probably won't be eligible for WHD and it would be silly to waste £59 on an EPC that's not needed for anything else 
Thank you all for the help and advice.

So it looks like that's the reason, terrace houses don't qualify.

It's not that mid-terraced house don't qualify, it's that they have to be older and/or bigger to qualify than most other types because it's assumed the insulation of having houses on both sides means the require less energy to heat than houses not insulated on two sides. 

You could check where yours probably fell in this spreadsheet https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1115362/whd-eligibility-statement-2022-england-wales-annex-1.xlsx

Well mines down as low energy cost on this spreadsheet and compared to some houses it probably is. I just think they have decided to change the criteria and make it as confusing as possible so they can save money.

The stated intention was to target it better towards the people who need it most (don't shoot the messenger!  I'm not commenting on whether I agree or disagree.)  The overall funding was increased so saving money wasn't a stated intention. 

I will say though that it has broadened it out to people on a low income without a young child or disability who previously didn't qualify - but equally it's also excluded people on a low income with a young child or disability who previously did qualify but now don't because of where they live.

calcotti

Spoonie_Turtle said:.

The stated intention was to target it better towards the people who need it most (don't shoot the messenger!  I'm not commenting on whether I agree or disagree.)  The overall funding was increased so saving money wasn't a stated intention. 

Completely agree with that.
hHowever it certainly seems more complicated and less transparent!

Robbie64

The whole thing has been a farce, to be honest. And I'm not just saying that because I used to get a WHD and now I don't!

CGORST

Bjdav65 said:

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

I'm surprised you got through - I've been trying for weeks to get through and it just says nobody is available to take my call.  I am eligible and have received it in the past but I haven't received a letter!  

Spoonie_Turtle

CGORST said:

Bjdav65 said:

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

I'm surprised you got through - I've been trying for weeks to get through and it just says nobody is available to take my call.  I am eligible and have received it in the past but I haven't received a letter!  

How do you know you are definitely eligible this year if you haven't received a letter?

Muttleythefrog

CGORST said:

Bjdav65 said:

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

I'm surprised you got through - I've been trying for weeks to get through and it just says nobody is available to take my call.  I am eligible and have received it in the past but I haven't received a letter!  

Scheme is all over the place this year with the new criteria (which is not accurate to the reality) and process... you sure your property qualifies?
Check (if you haven't already) 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1115362/whd-eligibility-statement-2022-england-wales-annex-1.xlsx

poppy12345

CGORST said:

Bjdav65 said:

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

  I am eligible and have received it in the past but I haven't received a letter!  

If you're living in England or Wales qualifying in previous years doesn't mean you qualify this year.

CGORST

Spoonie_Turtle said:

CGORST said:

Bjdav65 said:

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

I'm surprised you got through - I've been trying for weeks to get through and it just says nobody is available to take my call.  I am eligible and have received it in the past but I haven't received a letter!  

How do you know you are definitely eligible this year if you haven't received a letter?

poppy12345 said:

CGORST said:

Bjdav65 said:

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

  I am eligible and have received it in the past but I haven't received a letter!  

If you're living in England or Wales qualifying in previous years doesn't mean you qualify this year.

Muttleythefrog said:

CGORST said:

Bjdav65 said:

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

I'm surprised you got through - I've been trying for weeks to get through and it just says nobody is available to take my call.  I am eligible and have received it in the past but I haven't received a letter!  

Scheme is all over the place this year with the new criteria (which is not accurate to the reality) and process... you sure your property qualifies?
Check (if you haven't already) 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1115362/whd-eligibility-statement-2022-england-wales-annex-1.xlsx

I did an eligibility checker online, which told me to pick a property most like mine, which I did.  It also asked which benefits I get.  As a result the checker said I was eligible.  I managed to get through the helpline today and they said if I don't have an EPC, I can't have the warm home discount.  

Spoonie_Turtle

CGORST said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

CGORST said:

Bjdav65 said:

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

I'm surprised you got through - I've been trying for weeks to get through and it just says nobody is available to take my call.  I am eligible and have received it in the past but I haven't received a letter!  

How do you know you are definitely eligible this year if you haven't received a letter?

poppy12345 said:

CGORST said:

Bjdav65 said:

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

  I am eligible and have received it in the past but I haven't received a letter!  

If you're living in England or Wales qualifying in previous years doesn't mean you qualify this year.

Muttleythefrog said:

CGORST said:

Bjdav65 said:

I phoned the warm home discount helpline and was told I can't apply for it as my house hasn't got an EPC, and she said it's not worth me getting one as it will probably cost more than I receive even if I am entitled to it.
Does anyone know how much an EPC is or have any other advice.

I'm surprised you got through - I've been trying for weeks to get through and it just says nobody is available to take my call.  I am eligible and have received it in the past but I haven't received a letter!  

Scheme is all over the place this year with the new criteria (which is not accurate to the reality) and process... you sure your property qualifies?
Check (if you haven't already) 
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1115362/whd-eligibility-statement-2022-england-wales-annex-1.xlsx

I did an eligibility checker online, which told me to pick a property most like mine, which I did.  It also asked which benefits I get.  As a result the checker said I was eligible.  I managed to get through the helpline today and they said if I don't have an EPC, I can't have the warm home discount.  

I believe you, unfortunately the checker is not infallible.

What type of property do you live in, what's the floor area and how old is it?
What qualifying benefit do you claim?

The reason I'm asking is because if we can establish that you have definitely fallen through the cracks, your MP needs to hear about it.  They all need to hear how the system is failing people, because if nothing changes exactly the same will happen every year for the rest of the scheme and the same people will keep missing out.  [I'm not saying they will definitely look into it, but if they don't even know there is a problem then they definitely won't!]

If your property should certainly qualify based on those three attributes, it is possible there is one (or more) piece of information missing from the data they used to run the property calculation.  Unfortunately the only provision to supply a missing piece of info is to provide it from an EPC which puts many people at a disadvantage.  And this is where people seem to be falling through the cracks.

Chocmonster7

I have had the WHD previously, hadn't received a letter but the online checker was saying I should wait for a letter so thought I'd call to find out either way.

I was expecting the answer to be no as I don't have an EPC having lived in this house for 20 years. Had to hang on for ages but finally got to chat to a lovely guy called Mark. Told him there was no EPC and why so he checked the address and used the Valuation Office Agency details which were actually what I had for the house (date built, size, etc.).

From that he confirmed I qualified, he had to mess around a bit as I'm on Working Tax Credits and they have to forward it to the DWP to confirm, but I should get the payment soon.

Anyway, my advice to anyone who has tried and been told no as you don't have an EPC is to call again!