Scottish Power Warm Home Discount

The aim of the scheme was to get electricity suppliers to help qualifying customers by giving them rebates on their accounts during the winter period. This is when bills are the highest and people worry more about using electricity – at a time when they really need it.

What is the Scottish Power Warm Home Discount and how do I get it?

Some customers will qualify automatically for the Scottish Power Warm Home Discount. If this is the case, you will receive a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions clarifying this. However, you may still be eligible and not be given the discount automatically. If this is the case (you can see below if this applies to you), then you can apply directly to Scottish Power for the warm home discount – as long as you meet the criteria.

The details of the scheme as it stands are as follows:

1. In this, the tenth year of the scheme which commenced on 1 April 2020, the annual rebate will be £140
2. The £140 rebate is inclusive of VAT. That means if you qualify for the scheme, the rebate will show on your bill as a credit amount of £133.33, which is before VAT is applied
3. If you have a prepayment meter you’ll receive a voucher to the value of £140 credit which you can scan on your meter
4. If you’ve applied for the rebate payment and have met the criteria, your rebate will be made by 31 March 2021

Who qualifies for warm home discount?

As mentioned above, there are some people who automatically qualify for the scheme, known as the Core Group. These are people who were Scottish Power customers on the qualifying date of 5 July 2020 and who were receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. If this applies to you, you should have received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions confirming that you qualify for the scheme. You do not need to apply online.

However, if this applies to you and you have not received a letter saying that you qualify, then you will need to contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline on 0800 7310 214. The line is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm and is for Pension Guarantee Credit customers only.

You will need to have your discount certified before the 28 February 2021 in order to get your discount. So, get in touch as soon as possible if you have not received your confirmation letter.

There is another group who also can apply for the Warm Home Discount. This is known as the Broader Group and is for people who do not automatically qualify but may meet certain criteria. In order to qualify, you must be receiving:

• Income related employment support
• Income based Jobseekers allowance
• Income support or universal credit (having earned an income between zero and £1,349 in at least one of the preceding 12 assessment periods)

You may also qualify if:

• Your total household income is less than £16,190

This will only apply if you meet one of a number of other criteria. These include:

1. If there is a child living in your households that is aged five years or under, is 18 years or under and in full time education, or is entitled to free school meals

Or if you or any other member of your household:

1. Receives a Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit which includes a disability element
2. Receives an income related benefit which includes a disabled child premium, disability premium, severe disability premium, enhanced disability premium or Universal Credit equivalent
3. Receives Pensioner Premium, Higher Pensioner Premium or Enhanced Pensioner Premium
4. Receives the limited capability for work and work-related activity in accordance with regulations 39 and 40 of the Universal Credit Regulations 2013(a)
5. Receives the disabled child element, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Incapacity Benefit or Attendance Allowance
6. Is aged 65 or over
7. Your household’s annual energy spend is more than 10% of your annual income

If you meet these above criteria, then you can apply to Scottish Power for the Warm Home Discount.

How to apply for the warm home discount 2020/2021 with Scottish Power?

You can apply for the discount here. You will need your postcode and your account number with Scottish Power to begin the application process.

You should be aware that Scottish Power will need to verify your eligibility with the Department of Work and Pensions to ensure you qualify for the discount. You may be contacted and asked to provide documentary evidence of any benefits you receive. If this evidence is not received within the application timescale then you may not receive your discount.

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How will I get the Warm Home Discount?

It depends what kind of meter you have and how you choose to pay your energy bills. If you are on a credit meter where you pay your bills at the end of each month, the rebate will show on your bill as a credit amount of £133.33, before VAT has been applied. This will happen in March 2021 when the rebate is given.

If you have a prepayment meter you will receive a barcoded voucher for £140 which you can scan into your meter. Again, you will be sent the rebate when applications have finished being processed in March 2021.

When can you apply for Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount scheme for winter 2020-2021 season opened on 12 October 2020 with the aim that the discount should be applied to your bill by 31 March 2021.

If you are eligible as part of the Core Group, you should have received a letter in the post between October and December 2020. If not, then you need to get in touch with the helpline number listed above. If you are part of the Broader Group, then remember that the scheme is eligible on a first come, first served basis. So, the sooner you get your application in the more likely you are to get the discount.

When will I get my warm home discount Scottish Power

If you qualify and have successfully applied for the rebate, it will be paid by 31 March 2021. If your circumstances change after your application has been made, you must let Scottish Power know. This is because you may no longer be eligible for the rebate.

Do I need to apply for warm home discount every year?

Yes, you need to apply for your Scottish Power Warm Home Discount every year, even if you have previously received the rebate. Each new year is essentially a new scheme and so you need to make the application again.

Remember, that if you qualify automatically you will receive a letter confirming this and do not need to go through the application process. But if you are part of the broader group, then you need to apply online.

Is the warm home discount scheme ending?

The Warm Home Discount Scheme was originally set to end in 2016 but was initially extended until 2020. It was then extended again through the winter of 2020-2021. There is now a government consultation to extend it for a further year to winter 2021-2022, and given all that has happened in 2020, it looks likely that the scheme will indeed be extended for another year.

However, the future of the scheme beyond that is in doubt, so make use of it while you can if you meet the criteria.

What happens if I switch energy suppliers?

If you change your energy supplier between the point of applying for the Warm Home Discount scheme and the rebate being paid, you will no longer be eligible for a rebate. In this instance, you will need to apply to your new energy supplier for a rebate.

You should be aware that the eligibility criteria might be different with your new energy supplier.

If you receive both your electricity and gas from Scottish Power, you may ask for your rebate to be transferred to your gas account.

Would you like to know more about Scottish Power? Great! Check out some of these related articles

1. Scottish power tariffs
2. Scottish power reviews
3. Scottish power contact

FAQ

Who qualifies for the warm home discount?

There are two groups of people who are eligible for the discount. The first is the Core Group, which are customers who qualify automatically for the discount. They will receive a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions confirming they are eligible and will have the discount applied to their account.

The other is the Broader Group, who are people who meet certain criteria but who will need to make an application online with Scottish Power

How will I get the Warm Home Discount?

If you are on a credit meter, the rebate will show on your bill as a credit amount of £133.33 before VAT has been applied. If you have a prepayment meter you will receive a bar coded voucher for £140 which you can scan into your meter.

Is the warm home discount scheme ending?

The scheme was due to end in 2020 but was extended through the winter of 2020-2021. There is now a government consultation to extend it for a further year to winter 2021-2022. It looks likely that the scheme will indeed be extended for another year but its long term future remains in doubt.

Am I still eligible if I switch energy suppliers?

If you change energy supplier between applying for the Warm Home Discount scheme and the rebate being paid, you will no longer be eligible. You will need to apply to your new energy supplier for a rebate. Be aware that the eligibility criteria might be different with your new energy supplier.