The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that households receiving four means-tested benefits must ensure they are listed on their energy bill by Sunday 23 August to qualify for the £150 Warm Home Discount (WHD) this winter. The Labour Party government has urged eligible claimants to act promptly or risk missing the payment.
Eligible benefits and the August 23 deadline
People on Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Pension Credit, and Universal Credit are automatically eligible for the Warm Home Discount, provided they are registered as the household's energy bill payer. The government has stressed that the six million eligible households must be named on their energy bill account by 23 August to receive the £150 payment.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: "Families will be worried about their energy bills this winter and our focus is on giving them breathing space, as we continue to work to bring down bills. Almost a million more families with children received the £150 Warm Home Discount last winter, after we expanded the scheme." She added: "If you know someone who might benefit, please start spreading the word and encourage them to check they are named on their energy bill."
Suppliers participating in the scheme
Suppliers listed as part of the Warm Home Discount scheme this winter include 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK), Boost, British Gas, E (also known as E Gas and Electricity), Ecotricity, EDF, EnergyCoop, and Octopus Energy. Other participating suppliers are E.ON Next, Fuse Energy, Good Energy, Home Energy, London Power, Outfox Energy, and OVO.
Additional suppliers include Sainsbury’s Energy, Scottish Gas (see British Gas), ScottishPower, So Energy, Square 1 Energy Ltd, TruEnergy, Tulo Energy, Utilita, and Utility Warehouse. The government is urging eligible households to verify they are named on their electricity bill, with suppliers due to rely on customers' records as of Sunday 23 August.
Impact and next steps
The confirmation comes as the Labour government continues efforts to expand the scheme, noting that nearly a million more families with children received the discount last winter. Households in England and Wales receiving the specified benefits are advised to check their energy bill account immediately to ensure they are listed as the named account holder, as failure to do so by the deadline could result in missing the £150 payment.
