Get your Warm Home Discount queries answered here!

  • 22 February 2017
  • 72 replies
  • 7960 views

Userlevel 7

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​​​​​​Updated on 16/10/2023 by Abby_OVO

 

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) for 2023-24 is now open.

 

For those in England 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 in Scotland, 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, you do not need to take any action and you’ll receive a letter to notify you of your eligibility.

For customers in Scotland who fall under the Broader Group, you do still need to apply - you can check out this really handy guide on eligibility criteria 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 the Government Warm Home Discount homepage

 

If you think you might be eligible but haven’t yet received a letter, you can use the Government’s Eligibility Checker to 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 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. 

 

England and Wales

 

If 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 Credit
  • Core Group 2 - for people who get qualifying means-tested benefits or tax credits

 

The 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 information by 28 February 2024 to be considered for the discount. We can only apply the discount once we’ve been told to by the Government.

 

Core Group 1

To 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 2

To 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 Benefit

    • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

    • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

    • Income Support

    • The 'Savings Credit' part of Pension Credit

    • Universal Credit

      You could also qualify if your household income falls below a certain level and you get either:

    • Child Tax Credit

    • Working Tax Credit

  • Your 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.

 

Scotland

 

If 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 Group

To 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 information by 28 February 2024 to be considered for the discount. We can only apply the discount once we’ve been told to by the Government.

 

Broader Group

 

Eligibility for the discount as part of the Broader group is 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 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.

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

Check out our Customer Support Package here: https://winter-support-package.ovoenergy.com/


72 replies

Hi,
I applied for and was accepted for the Warm Home Discount.
on 2/2/17 you sent me an email saying that Pay Point would add the money to my account if I kept on taoping up at the same place. It Hasn't happened.
I don't have a smart meter as they can't be fitted here are there is no modile phone signal.
When will I get the payment? or How do I get the payment?
Thanks
Carrie
Hi again,
thanks to the wonderful peeps at OVO we got it sorted out.
Typically mine was a special case, so I won't suggest you ring, unless you have a non smart meter, on a smart meter contract.
This only usually happens if there is no mobile phone signal at your home.
In theory one day I will be able to get a mobile phone signal and then they will install me a smart meter.
Until then I will just have to accept that I am always an odd case!
Cheers
Userlevel 5
I was just looking into this for you, CarrieMB so thank you for the update! Glad to hear the team were able to get this sorted for you.

Lucy
I was also issued the discount and am still waiting for it to be credited to my meter. In spite of being issued 2 new keys and being told that i had made ample top ups. This is getting ridiculous.
What is warm home discount pl
I changed to ovo last year from British gas I applied for the warm home discount I got an email back saying I would receive it I have 5 kids under 6 and I have been paying nearly £200 a month and never received a payment either. I have rang numerous times and keep being told I will have money put on my smart meter and it still hasn't gone on. I'm now actually thinking of leaving ovo as it's just getting far too expensive
Userlevel 5
I was also issued the discount and am still waiting for it to be credited to my meter. In spite of being issued 2 new keys and being told that i had made ample top ups. This is getting ridiculous.

Hey Pooh736,

From my understanding, you’ll need to make 3-5 small top ups (£1 will do) over consecutive days in order for the Warm Home Discount to go onto your meter.

Have any other Pay as you go users on here managed to make the top ups and receive their Warm Home Discount payment? Would be great if you could offer some advice to, Pooh736.

Lucy
Userlevel 5
What is warm home discount pl

Hello Jeanie!

Great question. The Warm Home Discount is a one off payment of £140 off of eligible customers electricity bills. For more information on this, check out the Gov.UK website here.

To see if you’d be eligible, check out our OVO answers page here.

Please note that applications will reopen again around September/October.

Lucy
Userlevel 5
I changed to ovo last year from British gas I applied for the warm home discount I got an email back saying I would receive it I have 5 kids under 6 and I have been paying nearly £200 a month and never received a payment either. I have rang numerous times and keep being told I will have money put on my smart meter and it still hasn't gone on. I'm now actually thinking of leaving ovo as it's just getting far too expensive

If your Warm Home Discount application was approved (by the sounds of it it was) then you’ll receive the payment by 31st May 2017 (the deadline set by Ofgem).

Hope this helps.
Lucy
Many thanks shame we missed out this year
I need to wait to have meters fitted to get my home warmth discount. Been waitin since october to have them fitted but the appoitments keep bein cancelled. The quicker i can leave the better. This is one of the worse energy supplier ive been with...
Userlevel 7
I need to wait to have meters fitted to get my home warmth discount. Been waitin since october to have them fitted but the appoitments keep bein cancelled. The quicker i can leave the better. This is one of the worse energy supplier ive been with...

Hi Shaan,

It's such a shame to hear about your experience with OVO. Although it will effect how you get the payment, successful applicants will get this Warm Home Discount no matter what meter type they have. Can you tell us a bit more about this, or contact our Social team via Facebook or Twitter for this to be looked into?

Tim
Userlevel 4
Hey guys

As you are aware I was with OVO and made the mistake of moving away but was only away for about 4 weeks and quickly realised it was a bad mistake.

Anyway I was awarded warmer homes discount but never actually received it. Have I lost it altogether because of this 4 week absence 😞 I know I can apply again when the applications open however I am curious as to what will happen to the money I was awarded.
Userlevel 7
Hey guys

As you are aware I was with OVO and made the mistake of moving away but was only away for about 4 weeks and quickly realised it was a bad mistake.

Anyway I was awarded warmer homes discount but never actually received it. Have I lost it altogether because of this 4 week absence 😞 I know I can apply again when the applications open however I am curious as to what will happen to the money I was awarded.


Hi Smiter,

It's great to hear that you (and your ferrets) have made your way back to OVO! If your application for the Warm Home Discount was successful and you're back on supply with us, you will be getting this payment. This might need to be paid to you manually though, so send me a PM with your new account number (or full address), full name and DoB. I'll get the ball rolling.

By the way, I've moved this query to another topic on the Warm Home Discount scheme - hope that's OK.

Tim
Hi, applied and was accepted for warm home discount and still waiting for payment. Single parent of a child with autism so that payment will bridge a big gap. When can i expect payment please? Had expected it credited to my account by now. But so far nothing
Userlevel 4
Hey guys

As you are aware I was with OVO and made the mistake of moving away but was only away for about 4 weeks and quickly realised it was a bad mistake.

Anyway I was awarded warmer homes discount but never actually received it. Have I lost it altogether because of this 4 week absence 😞 I know I can apply again when the applications open however I am curious as to what will happen to the money I was awarded.


Hi Smiter,

It's great to hear that you (and your ferrets) have made your way back to OVO! If your application for the Warm Home Discount was successful and you're back on supply with us, you will be getting this payment. This might need to be paid to you manually though, so send me a PM with your new account number (or full address), full name and DoB. I'll get the ball rolling.

By the way, I've moved this query to another topic on the Warm Home Discount scheme - hope that's OK.

Tim


wondered where the post had gone lol. I'll message you now. Thanks.
Hi we were awarded the Warm Home Discount - but yet to receive anything we always go to the same shop to top-up our key I even emailed OVO personally 3 months ago, but haven't had a reply at all!!
Userlevel 4
Apparently the energy companies have till the end of May to pay out.
True but to receive a letter 4 months ago stating if you make 3-5 consecutive top-ups it'll be put on after that and then nothing happens is a bit misleading. May as well just scrapped the letter and just said wait until 31st may.
Userlevel 6
True but to receive a letter 4 months ago stating if you make 3-5 consecutive top-ups it'll be put on after that and then nothing happens is a bit misleading. May as well just scrapped the letter and just said wait until 31st may.

That is strange - the letter sounds pointless. I hope you get the WHD ASAP!
Userlevel 5
Hi we were awarded the Warm Home Discount - but yet to receive anything we always go to the same shop to top-up our key I even emailed OVO personally 3 months ago, but haven't had a reply at all!!

Hey @peteyb3. This does seem odd. If you’ve made the consecutive top ups, and nothing has happened, please send me a PM with your name, DoB and OVO account number and I can look into this for you.

@Smiter is also right. For the Broader group Warm Home Discount payments, we have until 31st MAy 2017 to make the payments. For the Core group, these will have been paid by 31st March 2017.

Lucy
Has anyone had their warm home discount yet, I have been waiting for nearly two and a half months to get mine and I am still waiting
Userlevel 6
Has anyone had their warm home discount yet, I have been waiting for nearly two and a half months to get mine and I am still waiting

Hi @Tiger welcome to the forum and thanks for posting.

Sorry to hear you've not received your warm home discount as of yet.

The way warm home discounts work is that if you’re part of the Broader Group, you’ll receive your payment by 31st May 2017. (Payments are being released on a daily basis so keep an eye out for it!)

If you’re part of the Core group (you’ll be part of this group if you were getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit on the qualifying date of 10th July 2016), you should have received this payment by 31st March 2017. If you're part of the Core Group I suggest you contact OVO customer care team via phone or social media (if social media please include your full name, address and OVO account number along with brief details of your query, one of the team will get back to you shortly)

Hopefully you get it soon, please do post and let us know when it arrives 🙂

Have a lovely weekend!
Userlevel 4
I got mine a couple of days ago. 😃
Userlevel 6
I got mine a couple of days ago. :D
Excellent stuff 🙂

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