DWP sending letters to state pensioners about automatic £150 payment

Important letters are arriving through letterboxes of millions of state pensioners about winter support. The Government is letting older people know about the Warm Home Discount scheme.

The scheme knocks £150 off energy bills for those eligible at one time only over winter. It happens automatically when energy companies decide to do it.

The letter will let people know they will be receiving the help and what they can expect. The discount is applied directly to bills, either in the form of account credit or vouchers.

READ MORE: £200 cost of living payments for households not on DWP benefits

Get our best money saving tips and hacks by signing up to our newsletter

It is not made as a cash payment, though the impact can be the same for many, helping to save on bills so money can be spent elsewhere. The discount can be applied at any time between October and March, so it's important for pensioners to keep track of their bills.

It aims to provide older and more vulnerable people help during the coldest months of the year when they are using their heating more often. But it follows the controversial decision to scrap Winter Fuel Payments for all but the poorest pensioners.

Letters should continue to arrive during November, and some people may have already received them. Energy giant British Gas explained: "If you qualify for the winter 2024/25 payment, you will have your one-off £150 discount applied by the end of March next year at the latest.

"The discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit. And if you're on Pay as you go, we'll send you a voucher you can use to top up your meter at a Post Office." They added: "The Government website has specific details about which benefits qualify and who could receive the discount.

"In England and Wales the Government will write to you to confirm if you are eligible."