Urgent warning to energy customers of failed firms to apply for £140 discount

MILLIONS of energy customers whose suppliers have gone bust have been urged to still apply for £140 off their bills.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is designed to help those on low incomes struggling with energy bills.

Pensioners on the lowest incomes get the discount automatically but anyone else must apply to their energy supplier directly.

At least 22 energy firms have collapsed since August as companies battle against rocketing fuel prices.

That includes the collapse of Bulb - the seventh largest energy firm - which went bust yesterday with around 1.7million customers affected.

It is thought that the company had debts of more than £600million and now a replacement supplier is being sought.

But research by Uswitch shows that applications for the scheme are still open at the big six energy firms that have taken on millions of customers now without a supplier.

More than two million customers who have been moved to a new energy supplier after theirs went bust are being urged to apply for the cash.

Anyone who already applied through an energy company that's now defunct should reapply for the discount.

The cash is given out on a first come, first served basis and the earlier you apply the more likely you are to get the cash before it runs out.

Justina Miltienyte, energy policy expert at Uswitch, said: "Eligible consumers are in danger of falling through the cracks if their supplier goes bust and they are moved to another provider.

"The £140 may not be enough to balance out rising energy prices, but it will still be a lifeline to many people on low incomes this year.

"If you believe you are eligible for the discount, we recommend that you apply for it through your supplier as soon as possible.

"Even if you applied with an energy company which has since gone bust and moved to a new provider, we recommend that you re-apply with the new supplier so you do not miss out."