WARM UP
Martin Lewis explains how to get £140 off your energy bills this winter
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MARTIN Lewis has urged pensioners and households on low income to check if they can get £140 off their energy bills this winter.
The MoneySavingExpert founder appeared on Good Morning Britain today to flag up the warm home discount scheme.
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It’s a government initiative that pays £140 towards your electricity bills for those who are struggling to keep their home warm this winter.
Speaking this morning, Martin said: "There’s a lot of people missing out.
"Go and check out the warm home discount now – it’s £140 off your energy bill at an important time."
Not all energy suppliers are signed up to the scheme, so it's worth keeping this in mind when you're looking to switch.
Here's everything you need to know about the warm home discount scheme.
Who is eligible for the warm home discount scheme?
There are two sets of people who are eligible for the warm home discount scheme.
- Core group: Anyone who gets the .
If this is you, you should automatically be notified by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
You'll get a letter between October and December 2019 telling you that you qualify for the discount.
Once you've got the letter, you'll also need to confirm your details by calling the helpline on 0800 731 0214 before February 28, 2020.
- Broader group: If you're on a low income and meet your energy supplier's criteria.
If you're on a low income and get certain means-tested benefits, you could still be eligible for the discount.
It will essentially be up to your energy provider, so you'll need to get in contact with them directly.
Other ways to save money on your energy bills this winter
THE warm home discount scheme isn't the only way to save money on your energy bills when temperatures start to drop.
- Cold weather payment: You could be entitled to £25 every time the average temperature in your area drops to, or is forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or less.
You must be claiming Universal Credit and currently not working to get the discount.
One of the following must also apply: You have a health condition or disability and have limited capability for work, or you have a child under the age of five living with you.
Cold weather payments are paid automatically, so there's no need to apply.
The scheme is open now and will run until March 31, 2020. - Affordable warmth grant: This is a scheme where you might be able to claim money towards the cost of energy-saving improvements on your home.
The money can be put towards insulation work to stop warm air escaping from your home, or replacing and repairing your boiler.
You may also be eligible for money towards upgrading your heating system.
The grant can cover all, or part of, the cost of the works and it's available to those living in either private or social housing.
To qualify, you must be claiming Universal Credit.
To apply, visit . - Winter fuel payments: Eligible pensioners can receive annual one-off winter fuel payments from the government of between £100 and £300.To qualify, you need to have been born on or before April 5, 1954 - although the dates change every year.You also need to have lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 16 to 22, 2019 - this is called the "qualifying week".
How much you get will depend on your circumstances.
You can apply by visiting the - Health Through Warmth: This scheme is run by fuel poverty charity National Energy Action and the NHS.
It aims to help vulnerable people who have cold-related illnesses and need help with installing heating and insulation, or making repairs to existing systems or appliances.It can also help tackle any debts you may have built up.
HTW is available across England and Wales to vulnerable people who meet the eligibility criteria.
You will need to fill in an online referral form, which is on the .
You do not have to be an Npower customer to qualify, but you will be asked to provide evidence of a long-term illness, and details about your income and savings. - Switch energy supplier: This one isn't exclusively for winter months - you can save more than £300 a year by switching energy supplier.
Use a comparion site such as , or to see what deals are available to you.
How do I apply for the warm home discount scheme?
How you apply depends on which group you fall under.
If you're part of the core group and haven't been automatically contacted by the government, you can speak to the warm home discount team.
Their number is: 0800 731 0214.
You can also write to Warm Home Discount, Blue Zone, Ground Floor Phase 1, Peel Park, Brunel Way, Blackpool, FY4 5ES.
If you fall into the broader group category, you'll need to contact your energy supplier directly.
All of the Big Six energy suppliers have opened their applications for the 2019/20 winter.
You can use the following online forms to apply:
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How is the warm home discount paid?
The money from the warm home discount goes directly to your energy supplier and is knocked off your bill between September and March.
Households on a prepay meter will usually be sent a top-up voucher.
The discount can also be used towards a gas bill if you have the same supplier for both gas and electricity.
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