Hi all,Do we know when the Warm Home Discount application opens this year please? And any details on the changes…..

Updated on 16/10/23by Abby_OVO:The Warm Home Discount (WHD)for 2023-24 is now open.For those inEngland and Wales, eligible customers will receive a letter from the Government confirming if they are eligible, and don’t need to do anything to apply.For those inScotland, the Core Group remains unchanged and applies to those who were in receipt of the Guaranteed Element of Pension Credit on 13 August 2023. If you fall under this category, youdonotneed to take any action and you’ll receive a letter to notify you of your eligibility.For customers inScotlandwho fall under theBroader Group, youdostill need to apply- you cancheck out this really handy guideon eligibilitycriteria for the Broader Group in Scotland, as well as the homepage for the Broader group from the Government:https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/low-income-scotland.For more information, you can check out theGovernment Warm Home Discount homepage.If you think you might be eligible but haven’t yet received a letter,you can use the Government’sEligibility Checkerto find out if you could qualify. (Letters are being sent out right up until early January 2024, as per the WHD webpage, so if you don’t have it just yet, don’t worry).What is the Warm Home Discount (WHD)?The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount given to eligible domestic electricity customers to help with their energy costs. It's usually paid between October and March of each scheme year. It's a Government scheme funded by participating energy suppliers like us. It’s designed to help people who need it most.Key changes in numbersWHD spending is increasing from £350 million to £475 million across all suppliers780,000 more households will receive the rebate560,000 more fuel poor households will get helpThe Warm Home discount rebate is increasing from £140 to £15059% of recipients under the new scheme will be fuel poor compared to around 47% of recipients for the current schemeThese changes will apply for the next four years.England and WalesIf you live in England or Wales you don’t need to apply for the Warm Home Discount but you will need to meet the eligibility criteria set by the Government.This is split into two Core Groups:Core Group 1- for people who get Guaranteed element of Pension CreditCore Group 2- for people who get qualifying means-tested benefits or tax creditsThe eligibility qualifying date for both groups is 13 August 2023. The Government will write to benefit claimants between October and December 2023.What do I do if I don't get a letter?In some cases the Government will write to you to request more information. It's important you give them this informationby 28 February 2024to be considered for the discount. We can only apply the discount once we’ve been told to by the Government.Core Group 1To be considered for the discount:You or you partner were named on the domestic electricity bill on 13 August 2023.You were supplied by part of the OVO Family on the 13th August.If you were supplied by another supplier participating in the scheme on the 13th August, that supplier will be told to give you the discount even if we're now supplying you.You or your partner got the Guaranteed element of Pension Credit on the qualifying date.Core Group 2To be considered for the discount:You or you partner were named on the domestic electricity bill on 13 August 2023.You were supplied by part of the OVO Family on the 13th August.If you were supplied by another supplier participating in the scheme on the 13th August, that supplier will be told to give you the discount even if we're now supplying you.You or you partner receive the following qualifying means-tested benefits or tax credits:Housing BenefitIncome-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)Income SupportThe 'Savings Credit' part of Pension CreditUniversal CreditYou could also qualify if your household income falls below a certain level and you get either:Child Tax CreditWorking Tax CreditYour property has a high energy cost score. This is partly based on details of your property like its type, how old it is, and the overall floor size etc. The Department for Works & Pensions (DWP) will work with the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to work out your property energy score. The Government will write to you if they need more information.Please note that OVO’s Support team aren’t in a position to advise you on your benefits or warm home discount eligibility. If you’re not sure of any of the details above,Citizens Advice are well place to offer help and support.ScotlandIf you live in Scotland, there are two groups:Core group- you won't need to apply, but you must meet eligibility criteria.Broader group- you'll need to apply for the discount which will be applied on a first come, first served basis.Core GroupTo be considered for the discount:You or you partner were named on the domestic electricity bill on 13 August 2023.You were supplied by part of the OVO Family on the 13th August.If you were supplied by another supplier participating in the scheme on the 13th August, that supplier will be told to give you the discount even if we're now supplying you.You or your partner got the Guaranteed element of Pension Credit on the qualifying date.The eligibility qualifying date is 13 August 2023. The Government will write to benefit claimants between October and December 2023.What do I do if I don't get a letter?In some cases the Government will write to you to request more information. It's important you give them this informationby 28 February 2024to be considered for the discount. We can only apply the discount once we’ve been told to by the Government.Broader GroupEligibility for the discount as part of the Broader groupis on a first come first served basis.You can apply if you if you live in Scotland and don’t meet the Core Group eligibility.Apply online (Scottish Broader Group)You can also check out our own dedicated webpage with all of the most up to date information on the Warm Home Discount:https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/energy-guides/warm-home-discount-scheme.Ways to get financial supportIf you’re struggling financially or you’re worried about your energy bills, we’re here to support you.Find out about the different ways we can help here.How do I register for the Priority Services Register (PSR)?Check out our Customer Support package here:https://winter-support-package.ovoenergy.com/

How can I apply for the Warm Home Discount?

S

Simon Tate
Carbon Cutter*****
9 replies
1 year ago
22 September 2022

Like yiur comments I am in a similar position and I believe you have to claim this additional benefit
Regards

Simon Tate

D

Devildaniels22
Carbon Cutter*
2 replies
1 year ago
22 September 2022

Thank you for your reply Simon.

S

Simon Tate
Carbon Cutter*****
9 replies
1 year ago
22 September 2022

That’s great

Userlevel 7

Emmanuelle_OVO
Community Manager
2164 replies
1 year ago
22 September 2022

Hey @Devildaniels22,

Welcome to the OVO Online Community.

*Copied from another thread* This post I recently wrote in response to a similar question:

How is Warm Home Discount (WHD) changing?

Key changes in numbers

WHD spending is increasing from £350 million to £475 million across all suppliers
780,000 more households will receive the rebate
560,000 more fuel poor households will get help
The Warm Home discount rebate is increasing from £140 to £150
59% of recipients under the new scheme will be fuel poor compared to around 47% of recipients for the current scheme

These changes will apply for the next four years.

Changes for England and Wales

Instead of having Core Group and Broader Group, these will now be Core Group 1 and Core Group 2. You can also check the website for the latest updates.

Core Group 1

This group will be the same customers who were eligible for the previous Core Group, customers eligible for the Guaranteed Element of Pension Credit will continue to automatically receive the rebate.

Core Group 2

The Broader group in England and Wales is replaced with Core Group 2 and customers identified as eligible for a rebate no longer need to apply. Eligibility for Core Group 2 is determined using fuel poverty targeting. Rebates are provided to low income households with high energy costs.

Core Group 2 recipients are identified using

Data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) on property characteristics such as floor plan, property age and property type; and
Data from the DWP and HMRC on household benefits (households in receipt of certain means-tested benefits and income-capped Tax Credits will be deemed as low income)

Non-eligible customers

Some customers who used to be eligible, won’t be any more. This can be for the following reasons:

The customer is in receipt of non-means tested benefits (likely disability based) that are not considered as a low-income proxy under Core Group 2. (It‘s important to note that recipients who also receive a means-tested benefit would still be considered low income under Core Group 2)
Those in receipt of non-means tested benefits who receive another, means-tested benefit but who do not have high energy costs might not be eligible for the rebate.

Please note that OVO’s Support team aren’t in a position to advise you on your benefits or warm home discount eligibility. If you’re not sure of any of the details above, Citizens Advice are well place to offer help and support.

Changes for Scotland

The process for customers living in Scotland will remain largely unchanged. People who receive certain income based benefits and who meet their energy supplier’s criteria for getting the Warm Home Discount (only customers in Scotland can apply for the “broader group”).

We’ll have more information over the coming months and we’ll be in touch with previous recipients to let them know how to proceed. Customers can also check the website for the latest updates.

Energy Bills Support Scheme

This page has all the information that we have on the Energy Bills Support Scheme right now. You can find the latest information on the Energy Bills Support Scheme on the government website.

Ways to get financial support

If you’re struggling financially or you’re worried about your energy bills, we’re here to support you. Find out about the different ways we can help here.

Price rises: we're here to support you

Here’s the latest information on rising energy prices, and how we can help.

How do I register for the Priority Services Register (PSR)?

I’m in the core group but I didn’t get my letter by the 31st December?

B

BikerBill
Carbon Cutter**
4 replies
1 year ago
26 September 2022

I now qualify for warm home discount, pension credit, when c I apply as I wasn't on the list last year.

Bill

B

BikerBill
Carbon Cutter**
4 replies
1 year ago
26 September 2022

As I wasn't on the list for warm home discount last year, when can I apply for this winter

Bii

Userlevel 7

+1

Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
6494 replies
1 year ago
26 September 2022

Howdy @BikerBill ,

You’ll already be on the list if you qualify. No action will be required as the DWP will figure things out for you.

B

BikerBill
Carbon Cutter**
4 replies
1 year ago
26 September 2022

Thanks for answering.

Sounds good news

Just wondering how DWP would know what company I'm with

Userlevel 7

+1

Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
6494 replies
1 year ago
26 September 2022

Don’t count me on this, but I think it’s either one of two methods:

DWP notifies ALL energy suppliers as to everyone who qualifies and the each supplier filters the list down to find accounts with matching details, discarding any that don’t match
Energy suppliers provide the DWP with their customer lists and the DWP does the filtering to report back who matches their records as eligible

My guess is that the first scenario is more likely, but either way OVO will be notified if you’re eligible and it’ll be handled from there.

B

BikerBill
Carbon Cutter**
4 replies
1 year ago
26 September 2022

Ok thanks for that. Like everyone else I need all the help I can get now on a basic pension.😀

M

+1

meldrewreborn
Carbon Catcher**
142 replies
1 year ago
26 September 2022

From the Age Uk website:

“How do I claim the Warm Home Discount?

In winter 2022-23, most eligible households will get Warm Home Discount automatically.

This is different from previous years, when you had to claim the money from your supplier if you weren't claiming the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit.

To decide whether you get the discount, the government will look at your circumstances on a specific date, known as the 'qualifying date'. For 2022-23, this is 21 August 2022.”

Given the DWP have a really appalling record of computing pensions (their core task) I think this has disaster written all over it.

Userlevel 7

Emmanuelle_OVO
Community Manager
2164 replies
1 year ago
27 September 2022

Hey @BikerBill,

Welcome to the OVO Online Community.

Great to see our community members giving some tip-top advice here. Just wanted to step and say that you check out my response at the top of this thread.

Hope this helps!

M

Userlevel 1

markymate
Carbon Cutter**
14 replies
1 year ago
6 November 2022

Hi all, has there been any updates as to when the WHD is going to put into our energy accounts?

Userlevel 7

+1

Blastoise186
Plan Zero Hero
6494 replies
1 year ago
6 November 2022

Hey @markymate ,

Not yet, but soon! OVO needs to wait for the government to make the next move before it can do anything further.

M

Userlevel 1

markymate
Carbon Cutter**
14 replies
1 year ago
6 November 2022

Thanks for replying, @Blastoise186. Guess we’ll have to wait a little longer👍

Userlevel 7

Emmanuelle_OVO
Community Manager
2164 replies
1 year ago
7 November 2022

Hey @markymate,

Welcome to the OVO Online Community.

We’re starting to add Warm Home Discount for some customers in the ‘core’ group.

The Department for Work and Pensions will write to all matched and unmatched customers between mid November and mid December. If a customer receives a matched letter they will be paid automatically by OVO on the qualifying date. If a customer receives an unmatched or request for information letter then they must follow the instructions in the letter and contact the government helpline within the timescales quoted.

Hope this helps.