Warm home discount

poppy12345

I'm rather confused today because i just received a letter telling me i'm entitled to the WHD because on the qulaifying date of 13th August i qualified. I was rather chocked when i opened the letter.

I missed out on this last year because my house apparently was too small which meant my energy costs weren't classed as high enough.

I wasn't aware that the criteria had changed and can't find any information to suggest it has. The only difference this year to last year for me was that my EPC certificate last year expired in March 2022. My landlord updated that this year and paid for another one. Though the information on it was exactly the same as the previous one.

Confused but happy i'm now entitled but don't understand why i missed out on that much needed help last year.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this as to what's changed this year compared to last year?

Spoonie_Turtle

The Eligibility Statement this year says they've lowered the threshold for what counts as 'high energy cost'
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales-2023-to-2024-scheme-year-onward
So, happy days for you and anyone else who qualifies this year but didn't last year

poppy12345

Thanks Spoonie, that's very helpful!

cutho

Would I still be eligible  to claim for whd we got tax credits on that date finished  end of September 

Robbie64

It'll be interesting to see if I get a WHD this year without having to jump through hoops. I never got a letter last winter. I phoned the helpline in February and got told I qualified but still heard nothing. I had to phone again and found out the helpline had made a note of my call and that I qualified but had forgot to contact EDF. I eventually got the payment in April.

Hopefully this "easier" way of qualifying for the WHD really is easier this winter.

born_again

https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-for-warm-home-discount

Check if you're eligible for the Warm Home Discount

This service is currently unavailable. 

poppy12345

cutho said:

Would I still be eligible  to claim for whd we got tax credits on that date finished  end of September 

Unless you live in Scotland, if entitled then it's automatically paid to you, you do not need to claim it. The qualifying date for entitlement was 13th August 2023.

Aquapara

I should be qualified as on UC and PIP. I am wondering about this though because I've only just sent my details to shell energy yesterday for my gas as its owner/occupier (probably still is because they are so slow to reply) and I'm with ONO for Electric but they dont do vouchers they only let me top up by Phone App. I'm worried I will miss out here

Spoonie_Turtle

Aquapara said:

I should be qualified as on UC and PIP. I am wondering about this though because I've only just sent my details to shell energy yesterday for my gas as its owner/occupier (probably still is because they are so slow to reply) and I'm with ONO for Electric but they dont do vouchers they only let me top up by Phone App. I'm worried I will miss out here

Depends whether you're in England, Wales, or Scotland.

The criteria for England and Wales include living in a property that is deemed to need high energy costs (as determined by age, type and size).  PIP is irrelevant.

If you're in Scotland then it's more like the WHD used to be for everyone previously, although they seem to have tightened up the criteria a little compared with before.

Auti

EON sent me an email today saying I qualify and they are crediting my account with the £150 - a good surprise, now need to get the heating to work!

SteveP29

I was talking to my parents last night, they both get WHD in their own right, they said that we could/ should get the same.

Currently only my partner receives it as she is on PIP.
The only benefit I get (as I'm working full time) is Carers Credit, which is a benefit that is apparently not widely known. It is a benefit that will guarantee my National Insurance Contributions are paid if I lose my job for any reason as I am my partner's carer.
I note from the eligibility criteria that Carers Credit is not listed as one of the eligible benefits so I am wondering whether I should make an enquiry?