Warm Home Discount Broader Group, Scotland. Octopus Energy's own criteria.

AssemblyGMX

I have applied under Octopus Energy's own criteria - no means tested benefit requirement: Disability benefit and, specified by Octopus, low income.  Nothing to do with DWP means tested benefit or Core Group requirement. It is The Broader Group Scotland.

On application I also submitted proof/documents of DLA (care and mobility) and low income evidence  to both Octopus and, separately, also to Agility Eco who run the scheme for Octopus Energy.  I have been referred for audit by Agility Eco.  Agility Eco seem to have disregarded my evidence.

AgilityEco seem to misunderstand Octopus's own criteria and refer to DWP for audit.  DWP only confirm means tested benefits and won't confirm my DLA or low income

My communications seem to have fallen on deaf ears and I am struggling trying to communicate the criteria.  DWP cannot confirm my income because I do not receive a means tested benefit.

I wonder if anyone here has also applied for The Broader Group Scotland, which is different from the English/Welsh system, and have struggled with this  

I'm struggling to communicate effectively with AgilityEco that DWP are not  directly involved with Octopus Energy's own Broader Group (not Core) Scotland criteria.

If this would be better on The Energy or Disability forum could it be moved there, please?  Thank you for any help.

Newcad

AssemblyGMX said:

I have applied under Octopus Energy's own criteria - no means tested benefit requirement: 

I am not sure what you are meaning by that - If it doesn't require you to have a means tested benefit then it is NOT the Warm Home Discount.

If you do not get one of the specfied means teated benefits then you you are not eligible for the WHD.
Only those with a means tested benefit are eligible for the Warm Home Discount - there are no exceptions.

The only difference between where you live is that in England and Wales everyone on a means tested benefit gets it without having to apply, but in Scotlend the Broader Group do still have to apply and do still have to get a means tested benefit.

However the various supply companies do have their own help schemes that are nothing to do with the Warm Home Discount and you may be eligible for those without being on a means tested benefit.

EDIT after a quick check :-

When you say "Octopus Energy's own criteria - no means tested benefit requirement" then I believe that you are thinking of the Octopus Energy "Octo Assist" scheme.
That scheme has different criteria than the Warm Home Discount and it doesn't require that you get a means tested benefiy to be eligible for help.

It can also provide other things, such as a free electric wrap/overblanket,  as well as possibly helping with bills.
https://octopus.energy/blog/octo-assist/

If you haven't done already then I suggest that you apply to Octo Assist.

Spoonie_Turtle

Newcad said:

AssemblyGMX said:

I have applied under Octopus Energy's own criteria - no means tested benefit requirement: 

I am not sure what you are meaning by that - If it doesn't require you to have a means tested benefit then it is NOT the Warm Home Discount.

If you do not get one of the specfied means teated benefits then you you are not eligible for the WHD.
Only those with a means tested benefit are eligible for the Warm Home Discount - there are no exceptions.

The only difference between where you live is that in England and Wales everyone on a means tested benefit gets it without having to apply, but in Scotlend the Broader Group do still have to apply and do still have to get a means tested benefit.
…

However the various supply companies do have their own help schemes that are nothing to do with the Warm Home Discount and you may be eligible for those without being on a means tested benefit.

EDIT after a quick check :-

When you say "Octopus Energy's own criteria - no means tested benefit requirement" then I believe that you are thinking of the Octopus Energy "Octo Assist" scheme.
That scheme has different criteria than the Warm Home Discount 

Weirdly Octopus' own WHD page does mention 'on a low income and/or in receipt of means-tested benefits' for the Broader Group in Scotland (but I haven't found anything more specific).

"Broader Group

If you are on a low income and/or in receipt of means tested benefits you may be eligible. Applications are currently closed and will open shortly"

https://octopus.energy/blog/warm-home-discount/#faq-scotland

[However since the difference came about due to the property data being held in E&W for the high energy costs requirement and not in S, which has since been removed, it raises the question whether Scotland can't also have an automatic scheme now.  But that's a separate issue.]

AssemblyGMX

Thank you but it reallly is definitely The Warm Home Discount Broader Group Scotland and Octopus energy have their own criteria.  The money (£150) comes from The Government Scheme and is paid to the energy account.  I'll do my best to find the link, please be kind enough to bear with me. Octo Assist  is something different.  

The format is not perfect but I have copied and pasted this from my Octopus Energy Account:  (You don't see the details/criteria until you log in and apply for The Warm Home Discount Broader Group Scotland. It is different from The Core Group  All the information is set out via a dropdown list)  There  is no requirement to be in receipt of a means tested benefit and the only requirements have been "Low income" and "Disability Benefits." The criteria this year is the same as in previous years from Octopus.

Copied and pasted:  "If you are on other qualifying means tested benefits or other criteria set by your energy supplier, you do still need to apply."  I applied through Octopus Energy.  The other/or criteria are "Low Income" and Disability Benefit" and a means tested benefit was not required by Octopus Energy.

Octopus Energy's own scheme is:

"Your Warm Home Discount applications

---

TAX YEAR 2025/26

low income threshold

disability benefits

awaiting customer evidence

TAX YEAR 2024/25

low income threshold

disability benefits

approved

TAX YEAR 2023/24

low income threshold

disability benefits

approved

TAX YEAR  2022/23

low income threshold

disability benefits

approved

TAX YEAR 2021/22

low income threshold

disability benefits

approved"

The £150 Warm Home Discount, once approved, is listed in my energy account payments received.

I'm sorry this is so confusing but I really am being truthful.  The problem seems to be with AgilityEco insisting on audit based on DWP guidelines which do not relate to the Warm Home Discount Broader Group Scotland.

I hope I am not being in any way disrespectful - I am quite stressed about this.