Suppliers take Warm Home Discount Scheme applications amid rising energy prices

2 mins read

Thursday 23 September 2021

Tags: counting the costs, warm home discount scheme, heating, help with fuel bills, energy costs

A number of energy suppliers have now opened their applications for their Warm Home Discount Scheme, offering a rebate of up to £140 off electricity bills for vulnerable customers in England, Scotland and Wales.

But act quickly – the number of discounts suppliers offer to certain groups is limited and often offered on a first-come first-served basis.

Over the last 10 years, our Counting the Costs campaign has highlighted the harsh reality for many families with disabled children unable to heat their homes, making children sick and causing health conditions to get worse. Many are taking out loans just to pay their heating bills because they need a warm home to keep their children safe due to medication and health needs. 

The ongoing energy crisis isn’t anything new for many families with sick and disabled children who don’t have enough money to heat their homes. But it will hit them harder than most.

You are eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme if your energy supplier is part of the scheme and either:

  • You’re a pensioner who receives the guarantee credit of pension credit.
  • You fall into the ‘broader group’ of people that your energy supplier gives the discount to.

Those in the broader group include families receiving certain benefits and tax credits – see our webpage for more information.

If you think you might be eligible, visit your energy supplier’s website or get in touch with them to find out when their scheme opens for this winter.

We have more advice on our website on help with fuel and water bills and energy saving tips, including switching providers.