Thousands of energy customers are set to receive a bonus payment to help support their winter bill costs.

British Gas has confirmed that it will apply the £150 government Warm Home Discount to customers’ electricity accounts in the form of credit. Meanwhile, pay-as-you-go customers will receive a voucher which can be redeemed at your local Post Office to top up your energy meter.

The energy firm also said it will directly send credit to a customer’s meter if they have a Pay As You Go smart meter. However, if British Gas cannot give the discount to a customer’s meter directly, they will send the voucher in the post, ensuring that all kinds of customers can benefit.

What is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount is a government-led energy scheme that provides discounts of up to £150 on eligible customers’ energy bills. If you’re found to be eligible for the discount, you should receive it automatically.

However, in some cases, you may need to contact your energy supplier to apply, such as if you’re low-income in Scotland.

You can receive the Warm Home Discount if you either receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income and have energy costs (or meet your supplier’s criteria for the scheme in Scotland). The discount is not available for billpayers in Northern Ireland.

Eligibility for those who get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

This is known as being in the core group 1 in England and Wales or the core group in Scotland.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is collaborating with energy suppliers to pinpoint individuals in core group 1, ensuring they automatically benefit from the discount. This letter will outline your eligibility and any further details required.

If you’re on a low income, you might be eligible for the warm home discount if you receive certain benefits and tax credits:.

– 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.

– Child Tax Credit.

– Working Tax Credit.

Your household must also have a high energy cost score, which isn’t based on actual energy costs but rather on factors like your property’s type, age, and floor area.

To check your eligibility, the government typically allows this via their website. However, as the Warm Home Discount scheme is set to launch in October of this year, the service to check eligibility is not yet available.

The government website states: “You will be able to use this service from October 2024.”