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

Updated on 08/10/24 by Emmanuelle_OVO: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.The Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme is closed for the scheme year 2023/24 and will reopen again later this year.The Warm Home Discount(Broader Group) has now opened to applications from our customers based in Scotland.Customers can apply onlinehere.Broader Group Eligibility Criteria can be foundhere.We encourage all customers who believe they fall into the Broader group(Scotland Only)to apply online via the OVO and Boost websites.However, If a customer needs some assistance completing their WHD application please contact our support team.OVO Broader Group: https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/energy-guides/warm-home-discount-schemeBoost Broader Group: https://www.boostpower.co.uk/help/support/how-do-i-get-the-warm-home-discountWays 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 the Customer Support package here: https://winter-support-package.ovoenergy.com/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?

Thank you so much for the replies, you’ve put my mind at ease!!

Hope it all gets sorted for you - there should be a communication of some sort whether letter, email or whatever at some point

Was I correct in reading we don’t apply for WHdiscount this year, it will automatically be applied if we are eligible?

Thank you so much for the replies, you’ve put my mind at ease!!

Hope it all gets sorted for you - there should be a communication of some sort whether letter, email or whatever at some point

Thanks

Was I correct in reading we don’t apply for WHdiscount this year, it will automatically be applied if we are eligible?

Assuming you are in England, Wales or the core group in Scotland, yes.
https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

That’s great I was worried as I’ve not had a letter yet

If you notice on the gov details, it say -

The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2022 and March 2023.

- so perhaps there’s a variety of dates when you will hear, depending on your own circumstances

Yes I realise it goes into my energy account, thanks

I had to apply for mine despite having received it for the previous 6 years.

Did Ovo ask you too? Or did you just do it as it won’t let anyone apply now says it’s done automatically

If you’re in England or Wales, it’s fully automated. In Scotland, you may need to apply.

Last Friday I received a letter from DWP telling me I had to apply and contact the phone number on the letter which I did on Monday 1st thing. Got through and took about 5 minutes to confirm my details and for them to check that I was entitled to the credit. I xan only assume that this occurred because I have recently migrated from SSE.

Hey @geoffb29,

Are you in the core group? (Do you get guaranteed element of pension credit)

When you say apply do you mean you had to confirm details to the DWP?

On the DWP website it says for ‘core group’ customers:

“You’ll receive a letter between November 2022 and January 2023 telling you about the discount if you’re eligible.

Most eligible households will receive an automatic discount. Your letter will say if you need to call a helpline by 28 February 2023 to confirm your details.

If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2023.”

Think this might be what you’re referring to.

Hope this helps.

Good evening all.

I have been awarded the Warm Home Discount for this winter 2022. My award letter advises me that I will receive help towards my energy costs. As an OVO dual fuel customer can I assume that this covers both my electricity and gas? Any thoughts much appreciated!

Many thanks.

If you're OVO Pay Monthly then yup, it'll be £150 shared between both meters. Whichever one needs the credit first at any given time will get it.

Last year mine ONLY went in my electric.

Not sure about this year sorry.

What is this "Warm Winter Discount" and can anyone get it??

Read about the Warm Home Discount here: The Warm Home Discount scheme: what it is and how to apply | OVO Energy

Thank you.

Interesting to note your perspective Shelly. Do you heat and cook electric?

I have gas central heating and a gas cooker so quite keen to be clear on this matter.

Thanks also for your certainty Blastoise 186 although I don’t really understand the mechanics of that which you describe. I am indeed a pay monthly direct debit customer and my dual fuel account always remains in credit.

If you’re on Dual Fuel with OVO, you don’t have two separate accounts with two separate balances - it’s a single account with a combined balance. :)

So the WHD will go into that and you can use it for any combination of electric and gas you desire freely.

Many thanks Blastoise 186 for your informed response. Much appreciated!

Just found out that I’m not eligible for the warm home discount anymore as I don’t have an EPC, Energy Performance certificate. This is now part of the Governments criteria for the WHD, not just what benefits you receive. Firstly, I’d never heard of an EPC, and secondly it appears that my council landlord didn’t know either!

Spent the last half an hour talking to a baffled council employee from the Estate management dept. She is going to find out why one hasn’t been issued.

So, if you haven’t had a letter yet, best to go on .gov and do their eligibility test, as that’s the way I found out about not having an EPC

Government EPC checker: https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

I’m not aware of the need for an EPC but it is mentioned regarding finding the size and age of the property https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-for-warm-home-discount

When I called the WHD help line today to ask why after receiving the WHD for years I was now not eligible, he told me it was because my council property didn’t have an EPC.

He said to call the council as I legally should have one. Sadly the 3 different departments I was bounced through didn’t seem to have a clue. The first two had never heard of an EPC, the last one said he’d heard of it but didn’t know what dept I should be passed onto!

I’m still waiting to hear back from the council at this moment.

The EPC checker I looked at last night doesn’t have my address, or my next-door neighbours address on it.

I’m on the same benefits as I have been for a while now, but sadly it seems under the scheme I’m no longer eligible.

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