{"id":67849,"date":"2023-10-13T15:00:48","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T15:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newcelebworld.com\/?p=67849"},"modified":"2023-10-13T15:00:48","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T15:00:48","slug":"hours-left-for-100000-to-qualify-for-free-150-towards-energy-bills-this-winter-how-to-apply-now-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newcelebworld.com\/lifestyle\/hours-left-for-100000-to-qualify-for-free-150-towards-energy-bills-this-winter-how-to-apply-now-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Hours left for 100,000 to qualify for free \u00a3150 towards energy bills this winter – how to apply NOW | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

HUNDREDS of thousands of energy customers have just hours left to qualify for a \u00a3150 bill discount.<\/p>\n

The help is provided directly by\u00a0energy\u00a0suppliers through the Warm Home Discount.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Warm Home Discount\u00a0is available to those on the lowest incomes to help with rising costs.<\/p>\n

To qualify, you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of\u00a0Pension Credit\u00a0or a different qualifying means-tested benefit like\u00a0Universal Credit.<\/p>\n

If you weren't claiming any of these\u00a0benefits\u00a0on August 13, 2023, you won't be eligible for the payment.<\/p>\n

When someone claims a qualifying benefit, the government will assess their energy costs based on the type, age and size of property.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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You may not be considered eligible for the Warm Home Discount if you live in a more energy-efficient property for instance, even if you receive a qualifying benefit.<\/p>\n

But this rule doesn't apply to recipients of the guarantee credit portion of Pension Credit.<\/p>\n

Around\u00a0850,000 pensioners are eligible\u00a0for Pension Credit but not claiming it.<\/p>\n

As well as missing out on potentially hundreds or even thousands of pounds a year from the benefit itself, they won't get the \u00a3150 Warm Home Discount payment.<\/p>\n

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However even if you weren't receiving Pension Credit on the qualifying date on August 13, there's a trick you can follow to later ensure that you get the extra cash.<\/p>\n

This is because your eligibility for certain benefits can be backdated.<\/p>\n

For example, successful Pension Credit claims can be backdated by three months.<\/p>\n

So if you make a claim now you could be in the qualifying period for the Warm Home Discount – but you'll need to do so by midnight tonight (October 13).<\/p>\n

The government will then issue a letter to your household to tell you if you later qualify for the scheme.<\/p>\n

Once your eligibility is confirmed, energy providers will apply the \u00a3150 discount directly to your bill between now and the end of March 2024.<\/p>\n

Who is eligible for Pension Credit?<\/h2>\n

It is available for people who are over the state pension age, and who live in\u00a0England,\u00a0Scotland\u00a0or\u00a0Wales.<\/p>\n

This is currently rising to 66 for both men and women.<\/p>\n

It used to be the case that couples, where one person was over state pension age, could claim, but new rules now mean that both people in a couple must be over retirement age to apply.<\/p>\n

This means if you're single and move in with a partner who is younger than the state pension age, you will stop being eligible.<\/p>\n

But if you're already receiving\u00a0Pension Credit\u00a0under the old system it won't stop unless your circumstances change.<\/p>\n

To qualify, you'll need to have a weekly income of less than \u00a3201.05 for single people or \u00a3306.85 for couples.<\/p>\n

Your income is worked out taking into account various elements including:<\/p>\n