HARD-UP families need to act fast to get £140 knocked off their energy bills as only a handful of suppliers are still accepting applications.

Energy firms offer the warm home discount to help low income families cover heating costs, but many of them have already filled all of their slots.

The schemes are run on a first-come-first-served basis until the allocated money dries up.

Major suppliers including British Gas, Scottish Power and EDF have already closed their schemes and are not accepting new applications.

Ovo, SSE and Octopus have also stopped processing new claims.

But customers can still apply for a discount from a small number of firms – but you have to act fast.

The schemes will close when they've reached capacity, which could happen within days.

If you miss the deadline, you'll lose out on the chance to get £140 wiped off your energy bills.

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It's particularly important to apply this year as heating and electricity costs have soared and are expected to jump by another £600 within months.

More than 20 energy suppliers have gone bust in recent months, but those customers should still apply for a grant if they're eligible.

Here's everything you need to know about the warm home discount scheme, including how to apply.

What is the warm home discount scheme?

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.

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 will be applied before March 31 2022.

Am I eligible to receive the warm home discount?

There are two ways of receiving the warm home discount, depending on your financial circumstances.

If you get the guarantee credit element of pension credit, you're part of something known as the "core group".

This means you should automatically get the money off your bill and you don't have to apply.

There is also a "broader group", consisting of people on a low income.

You'll also have to meet other criteria, such as claiming Universal Credit.

Check with your supplier to find out who can apply as part of the broader group.

How can I apply for the warm homes discount?

If you're on a low income you can apply directly to your energy supplier if:

• they are part of the scheme
• you’re on a low income
• you get certain means-tested benefits

To get the discount you’ll need to stay with your supplier until it’s paid.

The number of discounts each firm can give is limited and they're handed out on a first come first serve basis, so if you think you could benefit get your application in as soon as possible.

Which schemes are still open?

As the schemes are run on a first come first serve basis, some firms have already handed out their quota of discounts.

Customers of British Gas, Ovo, Scottish Power, Utilita, Utility Warehouse and EDF are out of luck as those schemes have already closed.

But a handful ofother suppliers are still accepting applications.

You should apply as soon as possible as the firms confirmed that there is a limit to how many people will be approved.

The schemes will close when all the funding has been used so it's important to make your claim straight away.

These suppliers are still accepting applications:

• Bulb – apply here
• E.On – apply here
• Shell – apply here
• So Energy – apply here
• Together Energy – apply here

If your supplier has stopped accepting applications – or you're not eligible – and you're struggling to pay your energy bills, it's still worth contacting them.

They might have other schemes available to help low income households, or they could agree to a more affordable payment plan.

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