Calls are being made to expand the Warm Home Discount scheme
(Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

DWP PIP claimants could save £150 on energy bills under new plan

by · Manchester Evening News

Labour MPs are calling for the £150 Warm Home Discount eligibility to be expanded so as to include people in receipt of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Back in 2022, criteria was revised, aiming to provide more rebates to low income households automatically.

The Government said the criteria was set to make the best use of data and identify household at greatest risk of fuel poverty. But Labour MP Marsha De Cordova is now urging the Energy Secretary to expand eligibility to include those on certain benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The Battersea MP pointed out the additional energy expenses that disabled individuals face, as detailed in Scope's "Disability Price Tag 2024: Living with the extra cost of disability" report, published in September.

In a written response on Monday, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: "The Warm Home Discount Scheme is currently focused to provide support towards those on lowest incomes who receive means-tested benefits and live in a property estimated to be relatively high cost to heat.

“This winter’s scheme was launched today, 14 October, and we expect it again to support over three million households. We are exploring options to improve the design of the scheme beyond the current regulations which expire in 2026.” Labour MP Tom Hayes also urged the UK Government to consider expanding eligibility criteria to include those on PIP and DLA, as reported by the Daily Record.

Below is a brief overview of this year's Warm Home Discount Scheme, full details are available on GOV.UK here.

Participating energy suppliers:

  • 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
  • Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
  • Boost
  • British Gas
  • Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
  • Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy
  • E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
  • Ecotricity
  • E.ON Next
  • EDF
  • Fuse Energy
  • Good Energy
  • Home Energy
  • London Power
  • Octopus Energy
  • Outfox the Market
  • OVO
  • Rebel Energy
  • Sainsbury’s Energy
  • Scottish Gas – see British Gas
  • ScottishPower
  • Shell Energy Retail
  • So Energy
  • Tomato Energy
  • TruEnergy
  • Utilita
  • Utility Warehouse

If you live in England and Wales, you qualify if you either:

  • get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as ‘core group 1’
  • are on a low income and have high energy costs - known as ‘core group 2’

If you live in Scotland, you qualify if you either:

  • get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the ‘core group’
  • are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme - known as the ‘broader group’

In both eligibility groups, DWP will make an assessment of your energy costs based on the property you live in. They will then write to you and confirm if you are eligible from November. You can find out more here