More Knowsley residents will have help heating their homes this winter thanks to changes to the Warm Homes Discount (WHD) scheme that will give some lower income homes £150 energy bill support.
Around 2.7 million people across the UK – including 900,000 families with children – will become eligible this winter.
Currently WHD goes to those on means-tested benefits like Universal Credit but only if they have ‘high energy costs.’ That requirement will be scrapped this year, which will mean more people will be able to get this additional support through the colder months.
Residents who are eligible will receive the WHD automatically this winter.
What will happen next?
Knowsley residents will automatically receive the WHD for 2025/26 if you (or your partner) are named on your energy bill and receive one of the following benefits on 25 August (the qualifying date for the payment).
- Housing Benefit;
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA);
- Income Support;
- Pension Credit (both the Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit elements will count); or
- Universal Credit.
The £150 is typically deducted from your electricity bill between October and March. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead, as long as your supplier provides both your gas and electricity.