Energy customers with various providers including British Gas, EON, EDF and OVO Energy have been sent letters offering them a £150 discount off their bills which for many is still going unclaimed.
The Warm Home Discount is a little publicised scheme which allows households to get £150 off energy bills with various big name providers.
For most, it’s automatically applied to those who are eligible, with the money being taken straight off your bills.
But for those who have pre-payment meters or credit meters, it’s less straightforward. The old style meters which need a card or key to be topped up cannot receive the discount directly, and instead are given vouchers to redeem at their top up point – usually a Post Office.
The Post Office started to issue the vouchers in October for customers with British Gas, EON, EDF, OVO Energy, Scottish Power and Good Energy.
But the letter you get with the voucher will warn that there’s an expiry date on the vouchers, which if missed will leave you unable to get the money off.
Households could apply to have the voucher reissued if they lose it or it expires, but again, you’d need to make contact with the Post Office in order to do so.
When you have received the letter, take the vouchers to the Post Office with a copy of ID such as a driving licence, passport or utility bill.
The government explains how the Warm Home Discount works. It says: “The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill.
“If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you.
“You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible. You only need to apply if you’re on a low income in Scotland – contact your energy supplier to apply.
“You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.
“You qualify if you either: get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income and have high energy costs.
“You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter.Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.”
