State pensioners set for £150 boost after winter fuel axe

The DWP is promising 'automatic' support

State pensioners can expect a financial boost as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) unveils its Warm Home Discount scheme, set to deliver an "automatic" £150 to assist with energy expenses. As the chilly season approaches, starting this month and running until March, those using services from top energy suppliers such as British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON, and Octopus Energy will reap the benefits of the initiative.

The DWP scheme promises a £150 slash on energy bills for eligible individuals, with plans to send out notification letters throughout October. The new Labour Administration has affirmed their commitment to sustain support for the scheme in the present year.

Notably, recipients won’t receive this discount in cash form; instead, it gets directly deducted from their electricity bills from October to March. However, the exact timing for the application of this discount may vary with different energy companies, potentially stretching up until March 2024.

Get the latest news straight to your phone by joining us on WhatsApp

Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount is determined by specific requirements, including pensioners who are beneficiaries of the Guarantee Credit segment of Pension Credit. Age UK advised: "If you receive Pension Credit or you're on a low income with high energy costs, you might be entitled to a £150 reduction on your electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount scheme."

Additional benefits that could deem individuals suitable for the discount encompass the Savings Credit portion of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, and Housing Benefit, reports the Express.

Also, select Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit recipients might find themselves eligible for the programme, as reported by Derbyshire Live.

However, living in a more energy-efficient home could affect eligibility for the Warm Home Discount, except for those receiving the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit. If you believe the energy costs assessment is incorrect, you can dispute it by calling the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322.

If you haven't received a letter by mid-January and think you're eligible, you can contact the same helpline. The cut-off date for this winter will be announced later in the year.