BEIS to send out letters to certain eligible Warm Home Discount homes

The Government issued an update to the Warm Home Discount stating that it will contact eligible households to let them know whether they’ll get it automatically or what they need to do in order to claim it. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) confirmed that letters of automatic participation in the scheme will only be sent out to eligible households. Eligible households include those who are in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and their energy supplier is part of the scheme.This group is known as ‘core group one’.Low-income households with high energy bills, known as ‘core group two’ however will now need to check if they qualify directly with their energy supplier on how they can apply.The Government stated that there would also be an online eligibility checker to help people check if they may qualify.On the update, Graham Stuart MP, Energy Minister said: ‘From this winter, the Government will reform the Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales.READ MORE: Half a million pensioners to miss out on state pension rise due to where they live The Warm Home Discount can knock £150 off energy bills over the winter months (Image: GETTY)’The Government is writing to households who are eligible to receive a rebate automatically, as well as households who need to call a helpline to determine if they are eligible.’There will be an online eligibility checker to help people understand if they may be eligible, and the Government is sharing information on the new scheme with energy suppliers and charities.’The Warm Home Discount was introduced by the UK Government in 2011 to help eligible customers in Scotland, England and Wales with their energy bills during the winter.If eligible, people will get a one-off payment of £150 off their bills this year.DON’T MISSRishi Sunak ‘will do what’s right’ pensioners told as they await verdict on 10.1% rise [TRIPLE LOCK]Halifax customer warns of ‘classic’ cold call scam where fraudsters can steal your details [FRAUD]Pensioner ‘amazed’ to get £18,000 cheque after Martin Lewis’ state pension warning [PENSIONS TIP] People who claim Pension Credit could be eligible for the help (Image: GETTY)People who may be eligible are being urged to check if their provider is participating in the scheme as some may open applications early.GOV.UK has direct links to the dedicated Warm Home Discount page of every energy provider for quick access here.People who live in park homes will have to apply for the support in a different way and the application process for this winter opened in September this year.The scheme is available for permanent residents living in a park home in Scotland, England or Wales who pay their electricity bills directly to their park site owner.The Government noted that applications for this will be considered on a first come first serve basis.In response to a parliamentary question yesterday, Mr Stuart said: ‘The Government has expanded and reformed the Warm Home Discount scheme in England and Wales to target fuel poverty better, provide the majority of the rebates automatically, and standardise the eligibility across all participating energy suppliers.’Over three million households will receive a rebate this winter.”Energy suppliers can provide additional support to households through the Industry Initiatives portion of the scheme, through measures such as financial assistance, debt write-off, benefit entitlement checks, energy advice, and energy efficiency.’