Thousands of “overlooked” Brits are being urged to claim a new £150 energy payment “lifeline” to help with soaring bills.
Energy supplier Utilita is calling on permanent park home residents to apply for the payout to help with rising energy costs this winter.
The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme, administered by grant facilitator Charis, offers a way for residents without a direct electricity supplier to receive winter support.
To qualify, applicants must be permanent residents on park home sites who pay for electricity through their site owner rather than an energy provider.
Funded by multiple suppliers – including Utilita, E.ON Next, OVO and Rebel Energy – the scheme is approved and regulated by Ofgem, providing an additional support channel for residents often “overlooked” by traditional energy assistance.
Emily Hayes, regulatory scheme delivery manager at Utilita, said: “The park homes funding support is a welcome addition to Utilita’s Warm Home Discount Scheme, which helps our customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills during the cold winter months.
“This support could be a crucial lifeline for park home residents, so I would encourage everyone who believes they may be eligible to apply as soon as possible.”
Who qualifies?
People living in England, Scotland or Wales may qualify if they haven’t already received a Warm Home Discount and they (or a household member) receive one of the following:
- Pension Credit
- Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Universal Credit showing an earned income between £0 and £1,665 a month
- Child Tax Credit under an award based on an annual income not exceeding £19,978
- Working Tax Credit under an award based on an annual income not exceeding £19,978
- Housing Benefit (or Housing element if receiving Universal Credit)
Park home residents may also qualify if the total annual income across everyone living in their household is below £19,978 (before tax and deductions).
Applications can be submitted through an online form, and Charis offers customer support to assist with the process during standard hours.
However, the programme operates on a first-come, first-served basis, making it vital for people to act fast if they could be eligible. Payments will be distributed directly into successful applicants’ bank accounts by March 2025.
Jonathan Hunt, Charis’s director of clients, said: “There are people in our society that often get overlooked by the usual support systems. We want to ensure they know about the payment they are entitled to. Otherwise, these people may be facing significant pressures, despite this help being there.”
Since its establishment in 2003, Charis Grants Ltd. has supported vulnerable communities by distributing funds from energy companies and other partners.
Those interested can find additional details and apply directly via Charis’s website and the Lightning Reach application page.
