More than 200,000 Brits to lose £150 Warm Home Discount – could it affect you?

MORE than 200,000 Brits could lose government payments to help heat homes in the winter, according to reports.

The Warm House Discount scheme is designed to help vulnerable households with heating costs and is currently worth £140.

The one-off payment will rise to £150 next winter and could undergo a further shake up when it comes to who is eligible.

Those claiming benefits including Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payments (PIP) or Attendance Allowance (AA) could no longer be among those who can apply for the cash.

There are two ways you are eligible for the payments under the scheme, which has now closed for this winter.

If you get the guarantee credit element of pension credit you'll be in what's called the "core group" and get the payment automatically.

If you're on a low income and meet your energy supplier's criteria, you'll be in what's referred to as the "broader group".

Those in the broader group have to apply for the cash directly from their energy company, though not every supplier is part of the scheme.

The government has proposed changes to the broader group that could see around 210,000 people on disability benefits no longer qualify for the cash.

Scope consumer affairs policy manager Tom Marsland said: “It’s shocking that a huge number of disabled people are about to be cut loose from the Warm Home Discount.

“This comes at a time when energy prices and the cost of living are skyrocketing, and many disabled people will already be facing some extremely difficult choices."

Changes to the scheme are due to be announced by the government after a consultation on the proposals last year.

But the new rules would still have to be passed into law before coming into effect for winter 2022.

The changes to the scheme would see thousands more households overall get the support.

But the government's own impact assessment highlights that those getting DLA and PIP who get the discount now because they are getting other benefits that qualify them within the broader group will be affected.

It estimates that around 210,000 "may lose out under the reform proposals" as it will reduce the number of people on these benefits eligible for the discount from 710,000 to 500,000.

A Government spokesman said: "The Warm Home Discount continues to support vulnerable households to heat their homes and, from October this year, this will rise to £150 and expand to help an extra 780,000 households across Great Britain.

“The discount is just one measure we are taking to help tackle rising energy costs.

"Our energy price cap continues to insulate households from volatile gas markets, and we are also providing a £200 reduction on bills this autumn and a £150 non-repayable reduction in council tax bills.”