Government issues reminder to eligible households to get £150 off energy bills

The Government has issued a reminder to eligible households encouraged to check they are named on their electricity bill to automatically benefit from the Warm Home Discount this winter.

Millions could save £150 on their electricity bills this winter. Every household where the billpayer receives an eligible means-tested benefit will now be in line for the discount, after the government removed restrictions that previously excluded many who needed help with bills.

In England and Wales, this means households in receipt of Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit and Universal Credit will now be eligible.

This takes the number of households set to benefit from the Warm Home Discount to over six million – an increase of 2.7 million households, including 900,000 more families with children.

The government is now issuing a call to eligible households to check they are named on their electricity bill, with suppliers set to rely on customers’ records as of Sunday 24th August.

Someone might not be named on their electricity bill if they have recently moved house and changed supplier. Having the eligible person named on the electricity bill will help make sure households receive the £150 discount automatically.

Last winter, 96% of eligible households received their discount automatically through this route, making it the easiest and quickest way for the overwhelming majority of households.

Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said “We took decisive action earlier this year to expand the Warm Home Discount, giving more working families certainty and peace of mind before winter.

“I now want to make sure as many eligible households as possible get £150 off their energy bill, putting more money in their pockets as part of our Plan for Change. If you know someone who might be eligible – please start spreading the word to family and friends, encouraging them to check they are named on their energy bill.”

Eligible customers on pre-payment meters who use a key or card to top up will also need to ensure that their household’s account is registered in their name.

This cost-of-living support comes alongside the government’s mission to bring down bills in the long term by replacing the UK’s dependence on fossil fuel markets controlled by petrostates and dictators with clean, homegrown power.