The Green Network Energy 2020/21 Warm Home Discount scheme is now open
We are proud to be part of the Warm Home Discount Scheme. This means you might be eligible to receive a one-off payment of £140 during winter.
Remember, even if you’ve received the discount in the past, you need to re-apply for it again every year. There are different ways you could qualify for the WHD. You must fall into one of the following groups:
You’re in the core group if you, your partner (shown on your Pension Credit records) or appointee are the named electricity account holder and you are either:
- Aged under 65 and only receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (no Savings Credit)
- Aged 65 or over and receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you receive Savings Credit as well)
For the 2020/21 Warm Home Discount (WHD), we’ll use the information given to us by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP). If you have your electricity supplied by us in July 2020 and fall under the ‘core group’, you will automatically receive the WHD discount.
How to check if you are part of the core group
If you’re in the core group, you will receive a letter from the DWP from October 2020. It will explain if you’ll need to provide more details to the WHD helpline to claim the discount, or if you don’t need to take any further action.
If your reference number on your letter begins with a letter M:
- The DWP will match you to your electricity supplier from July 2020. If we are your supplier in July 2020 then we will apply the discount automatically.
If your reference number starts with a letter U:
- The DWP has not been able to confirm who your electricity supplier is. You will need to call them on the number provided in the letter, so you can give details from a recent electricity bill.
You might fall under the broader group if you don’t get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. But you’re on a low income and get certain income-based benefits. To receive the discount, you will need to apply for it if you meet the qualifying criteria.
FAQ
Who needs to receive the benefits in the house to be able to apply?
If you or your partner are the electricity account holder and receive the qualifying benefits, you are welcome to apply.
When will I get the WHD and how will it be paid?
The purpose of the scheme is to help customers with their winter electricity bills. If you are part of the core or broader group you’ll receive a one-off rebate of £140, which you’ll see on your statement or bill by the end of March 2021.
If you’re a prepayment customer, we’ll write to you telling you how to pick up the credit when you next top up your meter.
What if I change supplier or move to a new house before receiving the discount?
If you’re in the core group and expecting an automatic discount: The company that supplied your electricity on 5 July 2020 is responsible for giving you the discount, even if you’re now with another supplier. If we were your supplier and you’ve now left us, you’ll receive the rebate against your old account. We will write to you to arrange the payment.
If you’re in the broader group and applied to us for a discount: If you change electricity supplier before receiving the discount, you’ll need to contact your new supplier. Unfortunately, applications can’t be transferred between suppliers. So you’ll need to reapply with your new supplier, as their criteria may be different. We won’t be able to give you the discount unless we supply your electricity at the time we make the payment.
When will the applications for the Warm Home Discount close?
There are a limited number of customers who can qualify for the Broader group. As we deal with applications on a first come first served basis, we don’t know exactly when we’ll close the scheme.
