Households to get letters confirming £150 energy bill discount

Over a quarter of a million families are being sent letters by the government to let them know they’re eligible for the warm home discount.

In most cases, the £150 discount will be automatically deducted from energy bills, so eligible households don’t need to do anything.

But some will need to provide extra information to make sure they get the money off.

The letters advise them to call a helpline and provide an electricity bill or statement to confirm the name and account number of the bill payer.

More households eligible for support this year

The warm home discount scheme was expanded last year to a further 2.7m families, which means around 6m households will benefit this year.

That includes 900,000 more families with children and 1.8m households in fuel poverty.

Anyone entitled to the discount will get it before January.

“This government is determined to tackle energy affordability for families, and this winter more people will be helped as a result,” said energy secretary Ed Miliband.

“I would urge anyone who needs to provide extra information to follow the straightforward steps and make sure they get money off their bills this winter.”

Who can get the warm home discount?

You’re eligible for a £150 one-off discount if you’re named on the bill and receive one of the following means-tested benefits:

• universal credit
• pension credit (guarantee credit and savings credit)
• income support
• housing benefit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) 

But you won’t get the payment automatically unless you’re named.

Every little helps

While £150 won’t cover the full cost of your winter energy bills, it can go a long way, especially if you’re already making savings by being savvy with your usage, switching providers or accessing extra help.

Check out our guide to energy bill support for more tips on what you're entitled to and how to reduce your costs even further.