Ovo Energy to Provide Warm Home Discount to Eligible Customers
Ovo Energy, a major energy firm with five million customers, has announced that it will be giving eligible customers an automatic £150 discount on their bills. The discount is part of the Warm Home Discount scheme and is aimed at helping customers lower their bills during the winter season.
Eligibility Requirements for the Warm Home Discount
The eligibility requirements for the Warm Home Discount are the same as last year. There are two schemes – one for England and Wales, and one for Scotland. Residents of England and Wales do not need to apply for the scheme, while those in Scotland must apply. The government will issue letters to qualifying households between now and December.
Qualifying for the Discount
To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, customers need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of Pension Credit or another qualifying means-tested benefit. Examples of qualifying benefits include income support, housing benefit, and universal credit. Customers who were not claiming any of these benefits on August 13, 2023, will not be eligible for the discount.
Backdating Benefits to Qualify
There is a trick for those who were not receiving Pension Credit on the qualifying date. Eligibility for certain benefits can be backdated, including Pension Credit claims. By making a claim before Friday, October 13, customers can potentially qualify for the Warm Home Discount. The government will then assess their eligibility and issue a letter to confirm their qualification.
Automatic Discount for England and Wales
Residents of England and Wales do not need to apply for the Warm Home Discount. The payment will be automatically added to their electricity account if their supplier is part of the scheme and they qualify. Those who have not received a letter confirming their eligibility by mid-January 2024 can contact the WHD helpline for assistance.
Scotland's Different Application Process
In Scotland, the Warm Home Discount scheme still requires households to follow the rules of the legacy scheme. There is a "core group" that will receive automatic payment and a "broader group" that must apply for the scheme through their energy provider.
How Ovo Energy Will Provide the Discount
Ovo Energy will add the Warm Home Discount as a credit to the electricity account of customers who pay by direct debit or on receipt of their bill. For customers with traditional prepayment meters, Ovo will send a voucher that can be used to top up the meter at a local PayPoint kiosk. Customers with smart prepayment meters will have the discount sent directly to their meter as a credit. Customers who switched from Ovo Energy to a new supplier after August 13, 2023, will receive a cheque in the post.
For more information, visit the government website.
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