Britain’s biggest energy company will give thousands of customers an extra £150 to help with their bills this winter.
British Gas is giving eligible customers extra cash through the Warm Home Discount to help reduce bills this winter.
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British Gas will start paying the Warm Home Discount to thousands of customers later this monthCredit: Alamy
The conditions for obtaining the Topli dom discount are the same as last year.
Between now and December, the government will issue letters to households that qualify for the program.
Once your eligibility is confirmed, you should expect to receive your payment between mid-October and the end of March at the latest.
To qualify, you must claim either the guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit or another qualifying benefit from the list below:
If you have not claimed any of the above benefits on 13 August 2023, you will not be entitled to a payment.
The government will then make an estimate of your energy costs based on the property you live in.
But thousands of pensioners could retroactively make successful Pension Credit claims and still qualify for the Warm Home Discount now.
All Pension Credit rules allow first-time claimants to go back three months.
So you will need to submit your claim by Friday 13th October and then successfully push it back to cover the Warm Home Discount qualifying date of 13th August.
We’ve explained everything you need to know about the British Gas scheme.
Should I apply for a discount?
People living in England and Wales do not need to apply for the Warm Home Discount from this year.
You get paid automatically if your electricity supplier is part of the program and if you meet the requirements.
Households will receive a letter in the mail over the next few weeks confirming their eligibility.
Although energy regulator Ofgem says some people may be asked to contact a government helpline to confirm their eligibility.
Visit the government website for more information.
How can I secure a discount in Scotland?
The Scottish Government has not changed its Warm Home Discount scheme to bring it in line with England and Wales’ no-claims scheme.
Households in Scotland will have to follow the rules set out in the succession scheme.
This means there is still a “core group” who will receive an automatic payment and a “broader group” who will need to sign up for the scheme with their energy supplier.
How will I get a discount from British Gas?
If you pay by direct debit or upon receipt of the bill, the Topli Dom discount will be added to your electricity bill as a credit.
If you have a traditional pre-paid meter, British Gas will send you a voucher which you can use to top up your meter at the post office.
If you have a pre-paid smart meter, British Gas will send the discount directly to your meter as a credit.
It will then send you an email to let you know it’s there.
If it can’t apply the amount directly to your meter as quickly as it would like, British Gas says it will send you a top-up voucher from the Post Office.
That way you will still get your discount as soon as possible.
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