Warm Home Discount no EPC

Mcan

I have contacted the WHD helpline, who advised that as I don't have a EPC for my property I am not eligible for this year's Warm Home Discount. I can't see this is a requirement on the eligiblity checker. I'm not sure what to do, when I fill in the eligibility checker online it says I maybe eligible.

calcotti

Several threads on this subject already. The scheme seems rather chaotic this year.

Muttleythefrog

Yeah the new WHD scheme and qualification as well as the EPC issue you raise already heavily dealt with on this board.. you might want to start with this thread https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6418597/epc-for-warm-home-discount/p1

Spoonie_Turtle

Unfortunately the guidance for the scheme seems to mean that you need an EPC to query or provide one of the missing property characteristics (floor size or age, most likely).  It is terrible that the property calculation manages to go wrong somehow and then people are not able to access it unless they have the EPC which costs money and isn't always accurate either. 

Do you know how old your property is and what the floor area is?  What type of property is it?  There is a spreadsheet of the property calculation results so if you know those things you can see where yours would have fallen. 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales

I really think MPs need to hear from people how badly it had gone this year, because if nothing changes it will be exactly the same next year - as far as I understand they don't plan to redo the calculation so people who fell through the cracks this year won't be any better off in future years. 

If it looks like you really should qualify, it may be worth considering whether you can get an EPC to be able to provide the information to qualify next year (assuming you'll still be claiming a qualifying benefit in August) and subsequent years. 

HillStreetBlues

Mcan said:

I have contacted the WHD helpline, who advised that as I don't have a EPC for my property I am not eligible for this year's Warm Home Discount. I can't see this is a requirement on the eligiblity checker. I'm not sure what to do, when I fill in the eligibility checker online it says I maybe eligible.

the "helpline" is very unhelpful as it defaults that you need a EPC  but doesn't go into detail why it's required.

What benefit are you on?  as  seen more issues with WTC than anything else.

Moo13

Sorry to add to the post but I can't even get through to the helpline! Last few days says too busy to take calls and this afternoon I just get an engaged tone.  So frustrating.
Basically no letter, checker says not eligible.  Have had the discount for years no problem as disabled but obviously that doesn't seem to matter to them anymore! 
Private rented 3 bed semi.  EPC ran out 2019.  Early 70's house with blown double glazing and worn hinges.
On PIP, ESA, LHA and husband gets carers allowance.  Going to try writing a letter but I bet it just accidentally get "lost"
What a complete and utter farce. At least have enough people to answer calls or provide an email address?

Spoonie_Turtle

Moo13 said:

Basically no letter, checker says not eligible.  Have had the discount for years no problem as disabled but obviously that doesn't seem to matter to them anymore! 
Private rented 3 bed semi.  EPC ran out 2019.  Early 70's house with blown double glazing and worn hinges.

The rules have changed this year.   The qualifying criteria are twofold - claiming a relevant low-income benefit,  and living in a property deemed to intrinsically need high energy costs. 

They calculate the latter based on the age, type, and size of your house, not the condition it's actually in. 

What is the floor area of your house on the EPC?  +14% gives you the figure to use to find where it fell in the property calculation https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1115362/whd-eligibility-statement-2022-england-wales-annex-1.xlsx
Or if that's a bit much, I'll find it for you if you tell us the floor area according to the EPC.

What do you hope to achieve by contacting them, out of interest? 

Chocmonster7

I have had the WHD previously (not in core group), 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!

StinkerPinker

Yes, we were given the Warm Home Discount, core group 2, despite having no EPC.   Never applied,  never had it before - this year it just landed out of the blue, so to speak.

stinker ...

Spoonie_Turtle

StinkerPinker said:

Yes, we were given the Warm Home Discount, core group 2, despite having no EPC.   Never applied,  never had it before - this year it just landed out of the blue, so to speak.

stinker ...

That's how it was supposed to work   They've essentially taken away the requirement to have a vulnerability and replaced it with living in a (notionally) expensive-to-heat home.

Terryjl111

I have had the discount the past 2 years ,group 2, but not received a letter.   Called the helpline and was told my house has an EPC which it doesn't, she then checked the eligibility checker on the gov website and said no it doesn't look like you do!
I was then told I will need to pay for an EPC and there is nothing else they can do, is this correct?