ENERGY bills are shooting up but anyone struggling could still get a £140 discount.

Ten suppliers are still offering the warm home discount scheme, which could help you save money on your bill.

British Gas has closed applications today, but you can still apply for the discount from other energy companies like Ovo and E.on.

The Warm Home Discount is designed to help households on a low income who need help paying energy bills.

It comes as energy prices rocket and experts believe they could rise further this year, adding as much as £600 to bills.

So it's more important than ever to check what help you can get reducing your bill.

Some people get the Warm Home Discount automatically, but others must apply to claim the cash.

Applications for the help have started to close at some suppliers so it pays to act sooner rather than later so you don't miss out.

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British Gas closed the scheme at 8am today (January 11) and EDF and Scottish Power will no longer accept claims.

Although you may have longer to apply with some firms, there's a limited pot of cash and it's dished out on a first-come first-served basis.

Some suppliers don't offer the Warm Home Discount at all. Here's the full list of suppliers still offering the discount and those now closed.

Open

• Boost – closing date February 28
• Bristol Energy
• Bulb – no specific deadline, but almost full so apply soon
• E.on – no specific deadline
• E.on Next
• Ovo Energy – likely open for another couple of weeks based on current applications
• Shell Energy
• So Energy – no specific deadline
• SSE – likely open for another couple of weeks based on current applications
• Together Energy

We've asked each firm when the scheme will close and will update when we hear back.

As demand can be high some schemes could close earlier than the deadline so it's best to apply as soon as possible.

Closed

• British Gas
• EDF
• E energy
• Octopus Energy
• Scottish Power
• Utilita
• Utility Warehouse

If your supplier's application window has closed or it doesn't offer the scheme there's still other help you get get – take a look in our guide.

You can apply for the help if you're on a low income, but each supplier will have it's won criteria.

Some people getting Pension Credit will get the discount automatically.

We explain how the scheme works and who's eligible below.

What is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off payment of £140 that goes towards your heating costs.

It is usually paid directly to your energy supplier which will then apply the discount to your bills.

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If you have a pre-payment meter, you'll be sent a £140 voucher that you can use to top up your account.

The discount is applied between October and March and can also be used towards a gas bill if you have the same supplier for both gas and electricity.

Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount?

There are two ways you can be eligible for the payment:

• If you get the guarantee credit element of pension credit you'll be in what's called the "core group"
• If you're on a low income and meet your supplier's criteria you'll be in what's referred to as the "broader group".

If you're in the core group of people who get the discount, on July 4, 2021, all of the following must have applied:

• Your energy supplier was part of the scheme
• Your name (or partner’s name) was on the bill
• You were getting the guarantee credit element of pension credit (even if you get savings credit as well)

You may be part of the broader group if you are on a low income and get certain means-tested benefits and your energy supplier is part of the scheme.

It's up to each provider who gets the discount and each has different eligibility criteria.

You have to apply to them directly and they have a limited amount of people they can offer discounts too, so the earlier you apply the more chance you have of getting the discount.

How do I apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme?

For those in the core group getting pension credit, you should get a letter between October and December telling you how to get the discount if you qualify for it.

It will say if you need to call a helpline by February 28, 2022 to confirm your details.

The discount will be applied to your bill by March 31, 2022.

If you are part of the core group and don't get a letter by December 31 this year you should contact the helpline on 0800 731 0214.

For those in the broader group you need to apply directly to your energy company.

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