Major energy supplier with 5.5million customers handing out £150 for winter energy bills – will you get the help?
A MAJOR energy supplier with 5.5million customers is making £150 automatic payments to thousands.
E.ON Energy is giving eligible customers extra cash this winter to help with rising energy bills.
Households will receive the top-up between October 2023 and March 2024.
The help comes via the Warm Home Discount, a one-off deduction on energy bills which is usually applied automatically.
Most customers who qualify will receive the £150 as credit added to their energy accounts.
Those eligible need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit or a different qualifying means-tested benefit, including:
- Income support
- Income based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal Credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- Pension Credit savings credit
If you weren’t claiming any of the above benefits on August 13, 2023, you won’t be eligible.
You may not be considered eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you live in a more energy-efficient property for instance, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.
The “big six” suppliers are all taking part in the scheme this year, including British Gas, Octopus Energy and EDF.
A number of smaller firms are also taking part including Utility Warehouse and So Energy.
Adam Scorer, chief executive of fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA), previously referred to the discount as a “lifeline”.
The average family on a duel-fuel energy tariff paying by direct debit is now forking out £1,834 for their yearly bills under the current Ofgem price cap.
Do I need to apply for the discount?
If you live in England or Wales and are eligible you will receive the rebate automatically.
However, households in Scotland and on a low income have to apply via their suppliers.
How will I receive the discount from E.ON?
The discount is being applied between October this year and March 31, 2024 and eligible households should receive a letter telling them they qualify.
As with British Gas, E.ON is applying the discount as credit if you pay via direct debit or on receipt of bills.
Anyone with a smart prepayment meter will also see the £150 added as credit.
However, if you’re on a traditional prepayment meter you will receive a voucher to redeem at your local Post Office.
Even if you have since switched power providers, the discount must be provided by the energy provider responsible for billing you on August 13, 2023.
This will normally be paid as either a cheque/cash voucher.
Anyone born on or before September 25, 1957, could get an up to £600 payment this winter via a Winter Fuel payment.
Other energy bill help you can get if you’re not eligible for this scheme
Thousands of households are in line for a Winter Fuel Payment in November and December.
Most people who are eligible get it automatically like if you receive state pension.
In most cases, you don’t have to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment, but you will need to if you haven’t received it before.
The Cold Weather Payment is also paid to eligible people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
You get £25 for each seven-day period where temperatures are zero degrees Celsius or below between November 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.
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