Housing Benefit claimants to get bonus £150 payment

Support on the way for some of the poorest households this winter

Some people who receive Housing Benefit have been told they will be getting extra support this winter. It is one of the qualifying benefits for the Warm Home Discount, as long as people also have high energy costs.

The Warm Home Discount aims to help some of the poorest pensioners and other households so they can heat their properties through winter without worrying as much about the costs. It provides a £150 discount on energy bills one time only between October and March.

For non-pensioner households, whether someone qualifies depends on the size and condition of their property and this is determined by the Government. Those who are eligible should get the support automatically from their energy supplier. They should also get a letter from the Government explaining the details.

READ MORE: £200 cost of living payments landing in bank accounts from October - key dates

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The aim of the scheme is mainly to help poorer pensioners but other households with high energy costs can also get help if they meet the criteria. The discount is not made in the form of a payment but as either credit on your energy account or a voucher.

The Government says: "The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill.

"The money is not paid to you. You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible. The qualifying means-tested benefits are:

• Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• the ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

"You could also qualify if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you get either:

• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit