Martin Lewis has urged households in need to apply for £140 payments this winter as people continue to struggling paying their energy bills.
The money savings expert said during Money Show that some people may receive the payment automatically while others will have to make a claim.
Martin’s warning comes as people across the UK are scrambling to pull money together to pay their monthly bills to match staggering price hikes.
According to trade body Energy UK, households could experience an increase of 45 per cent to 50 per cent. in their energy bills this spring.
By April, the proportion of British households struggling to pay their energy bills is expected to triple, according to the Resolution Foundation.
The warm home discount scheme payments are paid by the government’s and energy providers.
It is a one-off payment of £140 that helps to cover the costs of heating your home. It is not paid directly to people in one cash sum because it is usually paid directly to your energy supplier who will then discount your energy bill. If you use a pre-payment meter, you will receive a £140 voucher top top up your meter.
The payment is given between October and March and to qualify you must fall into one of two groups. You receive the guarantee credit element of pension credit. This is known as the ‘core group’.
Alternatively, if you’re on a low income and meet the requirements of your energy company for the scheme. This is known as the ‘broader group’.
To apply for the warm home discount scheme the first step is to check that your supplier is signed up to the scheme itself because not all suppliers are.
If your supplier is part of the scheme and you’re in the ‘core group’ you should have received a letter between October and December 2021 with details of how to get the discount by 28th February 2022.
If you believe you’re eligible but haven’t received a letter you can contact the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 731 0214.
However if you’re in the ‘broader group’, you can apply directly to your energy supplier if they are part of the scheme.
You can find out more information about the warm home discount scheme on the government website here.
