I have just made a clain today for a disabled friend with British Gas / Sainsburys Energy as their scheme went live on the 01/09/2017. I am adding a list of links for other providers that are live. I found these today to help set the ball rolling for those who qualify.
Thanks for this, I am a single parent on a low income and I got this for a couple of years then suddenly last year they told me right at the last minute I didn't qualify. I knew I did I paid to send off my wage slips and proof of child tax credits and everything else they asked for and then they told me it was past the deadline even though I had originally applied months and months before. The difference with not getting that money had a real knock on effect so I'm hopeing this year will be done correctly so I don't struggle so much with topping up the electric. Doesn't help when my daughter leaves every light on in the house grrr oh the arguments :disappointed: . Wasn't aware I could do this online, thanks again so simple :thumbsup:
premierfella to LeahsMintytoutou
8 Sep 17#3
I had this when applying for a family member. We didn't let it go at that point but took it further and raised a formal complaint and refused to be fobbed off by the third party that was doing the administration.
Wish I'd have took it further. I did complain but they told me it's not them so I can't complain. I was so sick of going backwards and forwards I just left it. If it happens again I won't leave it. Everything's changed for me and I think itssince minimum wage was increased earlier this year. I'm much more worse off :disappointed: thanks for your take take on it.. it's soured me on to stand up for what I'm untitled to if it happens again :muscle:
premierfella to LeahsMintytoutou
9 Sep 17#52
This is the reason why its good that they at least have a core group that gets it automatically without all this BS.
Your application for the WHD would have been to the supplier, irrespective of the fact that a third party handles it, so "not us guv" (whilst it has some truth to it) doesn't mean they can just refuse to log a complaint! (IMO they should have logged the complaint, given that response and then allowed you to take that forward to the Ombudsman for their opinion, which could have gone either way of course). I'm guessing that if an application is in well before they run out of funds, you provide paperwork requested in a timely manner and in good faith, there is a good chance the Ombudsman sides with the customer on it or at least bears the number of similar complaints in mind when assessing how the provider is meeting its obligations under the scheme.
j484rkh4n to premierfella
8 Sep 17#15
Was it British Gas by
any chance? This happened to me to, At first they claim not to receive any paperwork. Despite me having proof that i did apply. They offered £50, then £75 and when i showed them the letter from the government explaining that my father was entitled. BG changed their mind and offered £140, cheeky. I'm might put in a complain in how they handle my application to the Ombudsman. No indication that the application process was being handled by the third party despite getting replies from BG on their headed paper. :rage:
premierfella to j484rkh4n
9 Sep 17#50
NPower in our case. To be fair to them they dealt with the complaint in a sensible manner, so they get points for that :smile:
eatmorefish
8 Sep 17#2
Instead of handing out cash to energy companies (nicely maintaining their prices) the government should be more concerned with introducing genuine competition to the marketplace.
My oldies, like many I assume, use winter fuel payments for flights somewhere sunny each January. What a world we live in.
notos to eatmorefish
8 Sep 17#7
When it comes to utilities we need no competition. There should be one supplier, or at the very least, one rate, for everyone. I don't want to pay for endless nonsense TV commercials and the competition chimera which translates as cost-plus profit for every wannabe middle man supplier that has an idea for a new energy brand. Not to mention the wasted time of everyone who searches for a new supplier every year.
eatmorefish to notos
8 Sep 17#32
I am not philosophically bound to either marketplace nor nazionalisation....but the current situation clearly does not give the customer good value.
PaulusIsHere to notos
9 Sep 17#51
Government intervention in the free market is almost universally awful and is usually the cause of most economical problems.
For example Tuition fees are high because the loans are backed by the government created an atmosphere of no risk and no competition. There's also similar problem with banking where the government insures the first £85,000 in someone's bank account leading to little risk or accountability for these banks when it comes to investing.
Competition ultimately drives down prices and drives innovation. If you're not a believer in this then take a look at the Smart Phone in your pocket or the TV in your living room and compare what was possible 10 years ago.
What's needed in the energy markets is less regulation, lower taxes and a faster switching process. This will spur competition and lower prices.
If the big 6 are price fixing and a 7th company starts up offering much lower prices people will switch. If a 8th company started up offering lower prices and a switch of just 1 week even more people will switch.
And so on.
ksonia875 to eatmorefish
8 Sep 17#29
Lucky for them! But it genuinely does help the people I know and can mean the difference between a stingy winter where they have to cut corners to cut costs or a low stress winter where they don't have to worry about bills.
am_289 to eatmorefish
13 Sep 17#64
I am not sure if energy companies are getting any cash; this is applicable only for energy companies with large user base. also scheme operates on first come first serve basis; capped to some max number of claims.
eatmorefish to am_289
13 Sep 17#65
Schemes to 'help people pay' whether it be high rents to private landlords paid with housing benefit or this scheme can also be interpreted as the government's decision to prop up the chosen market.
bnxc
8 Sep 17#4
Thanks for the links, I've forwarded to my parents, is this different to the payment they get for winter anyway? Dad is registered disabled, with the maximum care allowance, but they don't receive any of the credits needed for many grants etc.
LeahsMintytoutou to bnxc
8 Sep 17#8
If you go on the link and fill out name address then go to the second page it asks you to select things from a list that you receive like disability living allowance, child tax credit ect ect. They've got to receive a yearly income of less then £16,000 odd and receive at least 1 other listed benefit. It tells you on the second page. You can do that to see whats eligible and needed to apply then don't submit if you want to tell family and friends then they can do it by theirself or you can do it for them. Just make sure your info is correct :thumbsup: ps it's only 2 small pages 1 your name address ect. The second is tick boxes then submit. Ps not sure it applies for retired people maybe someone else knows this?
gemniz to LeahsMintytoutou
8 Sep 17#13
Yes it applies to anyone on a low income... Pension credits is one of the qualifying criteria for the core group(who get it automatically each year)
killabyte
8 Sep 17#5
What is this exactly? Does it work for someone who's retired?
As far as I can see the eligibility varies between different companies, whereas for the first few years the govt told the big six whom should qualify, which makes trying to compare firms an absolute nightmare, with a lottery element. Pensioners who receive pension credits do usually qualify (on top of the winter fuel allowance). Some will give discounts if you receive disability benefits, but some only if it is a disabled child, a lot say something along the line of "you may qualify for our broader group (but we're not going to tell you in advance), but it's first come first served". Sometimes you'd save money by forgetting the grant and getting your energy elsewhere. If anyone finds a comparison site which allows you to input your income and benefits then will tell you the cheapest firm with a guaranteed warm home discount for a disabled adult let me know!
I'd encourage everyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply ASAP but don't rely on it. Incidentally you may also be eligible for grants to improve insulation, replace boilers etc so your bills aren't as high, worth a look.
ksonia875 to Elizabeth.Smith
8 Sep 17#30
I really like to use the money saving expert comparison because even though they don't use your income or benefits to show you the best rates, their comparisons clearly state if the supplier offers the warm home discount. :grin: :raised_hand:
Gollywood
8 Sep 17#12
What if you register whilst with 1 supplier & then move to another (if both are on the list?)
gemniz to Gollywood
8 Sep 17#14
AFAIK you won't get it then :disappointed:
RobertM0215 to Gollywood
8 Sep 17#17
It's unlikely as there is normally a requirement to have a range of dates that you need to have been with the supplier with. For instance, British Gas' terms are you have to be their customer up to 31st May 2018. As it's not hit winter though, it's worth checking what the terms are with the new supplier.
bigwheels to RobertM0215
8 Sep 17#18
Once its been paid how can they keep you as a customer ?. As long as your not tied in leave. My friend who I claimed for is on Sainsburys fixed price april and is getting it. But as soon as april come or its paid she can leave. Or switch tariff.Easy way to leave a locked in deal is to switch to the standard tariff with your provider then leave with no fees.A small loophole they dont tell you about.
RobertM0215
8 Sep 17#16
I'd recommend checking if you are able to get a cheaper deal with other suppliers first. £140 from British Gas sounds like a no brainer but as they've increased their standard tariff significantly you're likely to be paying £200-£300 more per year (for a 2x2 household) than the competition.
I've personally switched to Tonik Energy from British Gas and so far have been really impressed. Worth looking at reviews if you're interested. There are cheaper options but they don't have many reviews.
SquirrelMummy85
8 Sep 17#19
Thanks, good reminder
flojo1
8 Sep 17#20
One of the questions they asked me was my income less than 16k and paying more than 10% of income on fuel
Juzza12
8 Sep 17#21
I've just gone British Gas online for someone to be told thy're not eligible.
I'm confused by the second part of following as having a child has never been a requirement? Friend is disabled, on ESA and PIP.
In receipt of one of the following means tested eligible benefits:[3]
Income Support.Income based Jobseekers’ Allowance.Income related Employment and Support Allowance (which includes a work related activity or support component).Universal Credit (low income elements).And includes one of the following:
Child element for children aged 5 or under.Disabled child element.
bigwheels to Juzza12
8 Sep 17#22
Call them on 08000728625 and they will fill out form and you should get it. If they get 1 of these PIP or ESA related activity or support component .
2 Be a customer with a gross annual household income (HHI) of less than £16,190[3] and spend 10% or more of household income on energy bills to heat the property.
Thats all you should need to qualify.
With sainsburys that is what you need ie meet 2 sections, who are british gas.
Juzza12 to bigwheels
8 Sep 17#23
Thanks, the ESA they get is where they don't have to do any work related activities.
bigwheels to Juzza12
8 Sep 17#24
That should be support group. Add. Be a customer with a gross annual household income (HHI) of less than
£16,190[3] and spend 10% or more of household income on energy bills to
heat the property. Thats the 2 parts, and all you should need to qualify.
Juzza12 to bigwheels
8 Sep 17#25
Rang them and although the questions were the same i was able to give a bit more detail and she qualifies. Was worried there for a bit as they said eligibility has changed slightly this year but couldn't actually say in what way.
Also, some BG customers (assuming Sainsbury's too) that qualify for the WHD are going to receive an extra payment of £60 to offset the price increase that is coming this month.
Alexandre77 to Juzza12
8 Sep 17#27
I receive £140 the last 3 years from British gas, and this year (online form) it says am not eligible, i call them and was told am eligible. The lady over the told me that she received lot of calls with same situation as me. If you are not eligible online try over the phone.
Juzza12 to Alexandre77
8 Sep 17#31
Yep same here, phoned to be told my friend was actually eligible.
xenophon to Juzza12
8 Sep 17#28
Last week I went online for a family member who is with Utilia. They have previously got it for ESA, but now it has extra conditions.
Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Which includes a work related activity or support component.
You must also select at least one of the following options:
You have a child under the age of five who ordinarily resides with you
Child tax credit, which includes a disability or severe disability element
A disabled child premium
A disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium
A pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium.
They haven't a child under 5 or a disability or pensioner premium so they can't get it. So I have suggested they change supplier to one that accepts them, of course the discount has to outweigh any rate increase.
springchicken11
8 Sep 17#26
OVO aren't live yet but you can pre-register which I've done. Thank you.
ran123ran
8 Sep 17#33
How does this work? Do you buy boiler through energy supplier? and do they install it? If so its expensive install.
FreebieJeebie
8 Sep 17#34
I changed my father's supplier from BG even though they will offset the average £76 increase in electricity. I am hoping that the WHD element transfers over to the new supplier too
Cannot wait to leave BG never knew how bad the standard tariff rates were compared to the fixed rate ones.
captainbeaky to FreebieJeebie
8 Sep 17#36
No one should be paying standard tariff rates. It takes half an hour on a comparison site to save hundreds of pounds a year. Of course if everyone stopped paying top dollar the savings would end but as it is most don't switch 'cause it's too much effort
irishsea
8 Sep 17#35
So Northern Ireland Budget Energy is not on the list. I support my partner and myself ( they are not allowed ESA because I work 35 hours a week on minimum wage even though they are not able to work with doctors letters) and we get tax credits of £80 a month. That's it lol, would I stand a chance at this? I've been stressing about heating money this winter.
7day
8 Sep 17#37
Lost all benefits with this government ,as I had bad back depression for years . Surely they owe me thi
3ak
8 Sep 17#38
Looks like you need to have both gas and electric with them to be eligible? (Last question on their form)
Biker.Jeff to 3ak
8 Sep 17#39
No you dont, just electric. The £140 is credited to your account of whatever leccy company you''re with.
3ak to Biker.Jeff
8 Sep 17#40
Gotcha. Thanks.
Rocketronnie7
8 Sep 17#41
EDFs form was pretty simple... Does extra paperwork come in the post? Didn't ask for N.I. number my partner claims Income Support as she gets Carers Allowance for looking after me and I get PIP.
Also what happens if your on pre payment.
bigwheels to Rocketronnie7
9 Sep 17#44
Click link it states this on first page
Pre-pay or pay-as-you-go metersYou can also qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter.
Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.
Mallow2 to Rocketronnie7
9 Sep 17#49
If you are on pre payment then they send you vouchers through the post and you just take that letter plus some ID to where you top up usually and thats it, they put it on your electricity key/card
mirrorman
9 Sep 17#42
Whens the deadline? Il be switching in early Jan to a diff supplier. Do i need to stay with current until its paid out or apply after January with new supplier?
bigwheels to mirrorman
9 Sep 17#43
I think you need to stay with them until it's paid. The only issue with this is that the border group is a first come first served. they have a limited amount of money. Sainsbury's energy have paid this out on the 16 December for the last 2 years.
ian18
9 Sep 17#45
Got this last year with British Gas as under the threshold for income and more than 10% spent on fuel.
Just switching to EON and they do not have this option. Which wipes out all the potential savings.
Might as well stay with British Gas and pay more!
malachi
9 Sep 17#46
thanks
jezzery
9 Sep 17#47
Do Octopus have one set up yet please?
bigwheels to jezzery
9 Sep 17#48
No not yet. I think they have to have 250,000 customers before they have to offer it. Read below.
I would have thought it would have made more sense if it applied to Gas rather than electric , as most people have gas heating ?
Satan_Claws to r1zla
13 Sep 17#62
I think it's because not everyone has gas, my previous house had no gas supply at all. Which was amusing when someone came around trying to insist we needed a carbon monoxide detector and tried to sell me one. :grin:
troublesome1
9 Sep 17#54
British Gas are having problems with their online form, rejecting people it shouldn't. I just rang them up and, although it was a pain to have to do, I got provisionally accepted for the discount. The take home message is to not take no for an answer if you think you qualify for it.
nickann1
9 Sep 17#55
I'm with Iresa ... so guess I'm out of luck :angry:
minimadtrix
10 Sep 17#56
Yet again, penalised for working! OH is on contributions ESA and in the support group. Also receives DLA, Industrial Injuries and severe disability allowance, but because he has NI contributions, he's not entitled. Makes me so mad - why is he discriminated against???
irishsea
10 Sep 17#57
Ing minimadtrix
Exactly, my partner had a breakdown plus mental health issues and is seen as not able to work. Doesn't get ANYTHING from ESA because I make too much when I'm making less than £1000 a month paying rent and supporting two people and was in my own industrial accident 3 years ago but had to keep working as we were denied everything for help.
Seems a bit of a P!$$ take really. She was even denied dla as she couldn't prove she had mental health issues when the Dr was saying yes she does. Maybe if her head was detached then they would then care to see.
Yet my next door neighbour the drunk has lived off the dole for the past 20 years and doesn't even know how much his rent is and laughs about it.
preid779 to irishsea
7 Oct 17#67
It's maybe because it's for people on low incomes
ed1980
11 Sep 17#58
If you apply online and are declined then ring your supplier and ask, BG declined mine online but accepted the application over the phone (exact same details given)
Reeferman
11 Sep 17#59
thank you
redchud
12 Sep 17#60
Thank you for the information just applied :thumbsup: heat added
daverogers
12 Sep 17#61
About time we dumped all these leeching companies and re-nationalised our utility services.
bigwheels
13 Sep 17#63
flojo1 Applied last week for warm homes discount , got a shock its been paid into my Sainsburys energy account today.£140
I just look at my friends account noting yet. Normaly given by sainsburys on the 16 of December but who knows.
preid779
7 Oct 17#66
Mine is a prepayment electricity meter and it just goes straight on to it
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
![[Xbox One] Q. u. b. e: Director's Cut on Deals with Gold](/images/topics/208716_1.jpg)
Opening post
£140.00
I have just made a clain today for a disabled friend with British Gas / Sainsburys Energy as their scheme went live on the 01/09/2017.
I am adding a list of links for other providers that are live.
I found these today to help set the ball rolling for those who qualify.
I hope this may helps some members of hotukdeals.
Claim from these Energy Providers Below Now.
britishgas.co.uk/ene…tml
economyenergy.co.uk/red…nt/
edfenergy.com/for…unt
eonenergy.com/for…unt
edfenergy.com/for…unt
cooperativeenergy.coop/red…hd/
scottishpower.co.uk/cus…nt/
sse.co.uk/hel…unt
npower.com/spr…nt/
sparkenergy.co.uk/war…unt
utilita.co.uk/sav…unt
Pre Register your interest below
ovoenergy.com/ovo…tml
All comments (67)
Result: £140 received, token £15 goodwill (and switched supplier of course!)
thanks for your take take on it.. it's soured me on to stand up for what I'm untitled to if it happens again :muscle:
Your application for the WHD would have been to the supplier, irrespective of the fact that a third party handles it, so "not us guv" (whilst it has some truth to it) doesn't mean they can just refuse to log a complaint! (IMO they should have logged the complaint, given that response and then allowed you to take that forward to the Ombudsman for their opinion, which could have gone either way of course). I'm guessing that if an application is in well before they run out of funds, you provide paperwork requested in a timely manner and in good faith, there is a good chance the Ombudsman sides with the customer on it or at least bears the number of similar complaints in mind when assessing how the provider is meeting its obligations under the scheme.
My oldies, like many I assume, use winter fuel payments for flights somewhere sunny each January.
What a world we live in.
For example Tuition fees are high because the loans are backed by the government created an atmosphere of no risk and no competition. There's also similar problem with banking where the government insures the first £85,000 in someone's bank account leading to little risk or accountability for these banks when it comes to investing.
Competition ultimately drives down prices and drives innovation. If you're not a believer in this then take a look at the Smart Phone in your pocket or the TV in your living room and compare what was possible 10 years ago.
What's needed in the energy markets is less regulation, lower taxes and a faster switching process. This will spur competition and lower prices.
If the big 6 are price fixing and a 7th company starts up offering much lower prices people will switch.
If a 8th company started up offering lower prices and a switch of just 1 week even more people will switch.
And so on.
If you go on the link and fill out name address then go to the second page it asks you to select things from a list that you receive like disability living allowance, child tax credit ect ect. They've got to receive a yearly income of less then £16,000 odd and receive at least 1 other listed benefit. It tells you on the second page. You can do that to see whats eligible and needed to apply then don't submit if you want to tell family and friends then they can do it by theirself or you can do it for them. Just make sure your info is correct :thumbsup: ps it's only 2 small pages 1 your name address ect. The second is tick boxes then submit. Ps not sure it applies for retired people maybe someone else knows this?
I'd encourage everyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply ASAP but don't rely on it. Incidentally you may also be eligible for grants to improve insulation, replace boilers etc so your bills aren't as high, worth a look.
As long as your not tied in leave.
My friend who I claimed for is on Sainsburys fixed price april and is getting it.
But as soon as april come or its paid she can leave.
Or switch tariff.Easy way to leave a locked in deal is to switch to the standard tariff with your provider then leave with no fees.A small loophole they dont tell you about.
I've personally switched to Tonik Energy from British Gas and so far have been really impressed. Worth looking at reviews if you're interested. There are cheaper options but they don't have many reviews.
I'm confused by the second part of following as having a child has never been a requirement? Friend is disabled, on ESA and PIP.
- In receipt of one of the following means tested eligible benefits:[3]
Income Support.Income based Jobseekers’ Allowance.Income related Employment and Support Allowance (which includes a work related activity or support component).Universal Credit (low income elements).And includes one of the following:Child element for children aged 5 or under.Disabled child element.
If they get
1 of these PIP or ESA related activity or support component .
2 Be a customer with a gross annual household income (HHI) of less than £16,190[3] and spend 10% or more of household income on energy bills to heat the property.
Thats all you should need to qualify.
With sainsburys that is what you need ie meet 2 sections, who are british gas.
Add.
Be a customer with a gross annual household income (HHI) of less than £16,190[3] and spend 10% or more of household income on energy bills to heat the property.
Thats the 2 parts, and all you should need to qualify.
Also, some BG customers (assuming Sainsbury's too) that qualify for the WHD are going to receive an extra payment of £60 to offset the price increase that is coming this month.
The lady over the told me that she received lot of calls with same situation as me.
If you are not eligible online try over the phone.
Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Which includes a work related activity or support component.
They haven't a child under 5 or a disability or pensioner premium so they can't get it. So I have suggested they change supplier to one that accepts them, of course the discount has to outweigh any rate increase.
and do they install it? If so its expensive install.
Cannot wait to leave BG never knew how bad the standard tariff rates were compared to the fixed rate ones.
Also what happens if your on pre payment.
Pre-pay or pay-as-you-go metersYou can also qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter.
Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.
they have a limited amount of money. Sainsbury's energy have paid this out on the 16 December for the last 2 years.
Just switching to EON and they do not have this option. Which wipes out all the potential savings.
Might as well stay with British Gas and pay more!
Read below.
octopus.energy/hel…nt/
I would have thought it would have made more sense if it applied to Gas rather than electric , as most people have gas heating ?
Exactly, my partner had a breakdown plus mental health issues and is seen as not able to work. Doesn't get ANYTHING from ESA because I make too much when I'm making less than £1000 a month paying rent and supporting two people and was in my own industrial accident 3 years ago but had to keep working as we were denied everything for help.
Seems a bit of a P!$$ take really. She was even denied dla as she couldn't prove she had mental health issues when the Dr was saying yes she does. Maybe if her head was detached then they would then care to see.
Yet my next door neighbour the drunk has lived off the dole for the past 20 years and doesn't even know how much his rent is and laughs about it.
Applied last week for warm homes discount , got a shock its been paid into my Sainsburys energy account today.£140
I just look at my friends account noting yet.
Normaly given by sainsburys on the 16 of December but who knows.