ESA £150 energy payment

milann

Hi, not sure if I’m posting in the right place or not.
I had to take early retirement through ill health and get ESA. I had a letter saying I’d get £150 heating allowance before the end of March. It stated clearly I didn’t need to do anything as it’ll be applied to my energy bills. The complication is the bills are in my Dh name. Do they go by the address on the bill rather than the name on the bill. I’ve tried ringing the energy company with no joy. 

Spoonie_Turtle

Firstly, which supplier are you with and when was your last bill/statement?

The Warm Home Discount is supposed to be for people claiming means-tested benefits and living in properties deemed to have high energy costs.  Unless your ESA is income-based it shouldn't have entitled you to the WHD, although we have heard of people not claiming a means-tested benefit being told they'll get it.

It should be fine with your husband's name being on the account but the rollout has been a mess, so there's no guarantee.

milann

Thanks Spoonie Turtle we’re with Scottish Power. He has checked the statement and it hasn’t been deducted yet. The ESA is apparently income based. It’s still a bit of a minefield to me. Thanks for your help.

Spoonie_Turtle

milann said:

Thanks Spoonie Turtle we’re with Scottish Power. He has checked the statement and it hasn’t been deducted yet. The ESA is apparently income based. It’s still a bit of a minefield to me. Thanks for your help.

How old is your claim?  I just ask because the letters can be very confusing - even the letters for New-Style ESA mention income even though with the new style there cannot possibly be an income element.

milann

Well over a year. I was on the one where you have to speak to them every so often then was re assessed and put on the longer term one. I received the letter about the £150 a couple of months ago. 

I’ll try ringing Scottish power again over the next few days.

poppy12345

If your claim for ESA started after the end of December 2018 then you'll be claiming New style ESA. If so I have no idea how you're entitled to the WHD because New style ESA isn't a qualifying benefit. Do you claim any means tested benefits?

milann

No…but had a letter from them saying I’d get £150. I was surprised so maybe it’s a clerical clock up.

poppy12345

They don't seem to know what they are doing. There's a lot of people that do qualify and have been told they don't. Then there's some who don't but been told they do. It makes no sense. Did your ESA claim start after end of Dec 2018? If you receive £117.60/week then this will be either contributions based or New style.