A guide to help make your experience with benefits a little different.

Breaking stories about a gas or energy crisis in the UK as the world economy awakens again are now dominating the headlines.

We can predict that many factors will likely be contributing to it and this article from The Newsroom explains all we need to know without the jumbo mumbo.

As we witness the effects of this playing out over the coming winter, the government say’s we’re going to notice a big spike in our energy bills from October 2021 when Ofgem increases the price cap by at least 12%.

Some say this will see annual home fuel costs rise as much as 450%.

However, there is an upside, because we have an opportunity today to secure an additional £140 towards our winter energy bills.

The government is introducing once again their Warm Home Discount scheme for the 2021/22 winter season.

Come along and we’ll share, step-by-step, how we can apply for a £140 discount!

The Warm Home Discount scheme is a government program that provides a one-off rebate to the gas and electricity bills of UK homes that may be at risk of fuel poverty.

This incentive for the 2021/2022 winter season opens for applications from 18th October 2021 and is set at £140.

However, some energy suppliers are already offering the discount.

Remember, the money won’t be paid to us, instead, we’ll notice a reduction has been made to our energy bill between October 2021 and March 2022 meaning the discount is handled by our own energy supplier.

If we’re on a prepayment or pay-as-you-go meter, we can also get the discount but it’s often in the form of a voucher you can use to top up your meter.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme operates on. first-come, first-serve basis so it’s important to act as soon as possible to secure our winter energy costs.

The ‘Core Group’ applies to those who were in receipt of the guarantee credit of pension credit on 5th July 2020.

If this is you, then you’ll automatically be eligible for this discount and we will notice the reduction on our energy bill sometime between October 2021 and March 2022.

The ‘Broader Group’ is for those of us who are on a low-income (less than £16k per year) and/or are receiving one of these means-tested benefits: 

1. Universal Credit
2. Any Child Benefits
3. Job-seekers Allowance (JSA)
4. Income-Related Employment Support (ESA)
5. Any Disability Living Allowance Benefits

So, unlike the ‘Core Group’, we will need to physically make a claim online to be considered for this discount.

Step One:

1. Type in the electricity and gas number found on your most recent energy statement.
2. Choose whether the discount should be applied to your gas or electric.
3. Add your title and name.

Step Two

1. Add your postcode.
2. Add your address.

Step Three

1. Add your phone number.
2. Add your email address.

Step Four (Primary Criteria)

1. Select all that apply to you.
2. Have any benefits documents to hand.

Step Five (Secondary Criteria)

1. Select all that apply to you.
2. Have any benefits documents to hand.

Try these practical tips in your home:

1. Discover the real cost of household appliances 
2. Turn off the lights if you can.
3. Turn down the thermostat by 1-2 degrees.
4. Wash clothes in cold water.
5. Switch to LED lightbulbs.
6. Visit Home Energy Scotland and Blairgowrie’s Heat Project to discover more energy-saving tips and tricks.

We really hope you’ve gained some value from discovering more about how to apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out on social media or email and we’ll do our best to get back to you.

And until next time, remember, sharing is caring.

1. GOV.UK – Warm Home Discount
2. Citizens Advice Scotland – Child Winter Heating Assistance
3. Citizens Advice Scotland – Other grants and benefits to help reduce energy bills.
4. Read the articles from The Guardian, Gingerbread, Which?, Wikipedia, and TurnToUs.
5. Help with bills (Citizens Advice Scotland)
6. Perth Citizens Advice (Scotland) are always here and their friendly advisors are here for you.