The Energy Bills Support Scheme provides a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with their energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023. The discount is automatic. If you get a message asking for your bank details, this could be a scam!

You will still get the discount if:

• you change your payment method
• you change your tariff
• you switch electricity supplier
• you move to a new address
• your supplier goes bust
• you’re in arrears on your electricity bill payments

How you’ll get the discount; you do not need to apply for the discount, and there’s no need to contact your energy supplier. The discount will be applied to your monthly household electricity bill for 6 months starting in October 2022. You’ll get:

£66 in October and November
£67 in December, January, February and March
You’ll get the discount monthly, even if you pay for your energy quarterly or use a payment card.

Traditional prepayment meter users (key & card top up) will get equivalent vouchers that you will need to redeem. Your electricity supplier should provide more guidance on the scheme before it starts. If you have not received your first instalment by the end of October 2022, you need to contact your supplier.

If you’re a direct debit customer, you’ll get the discount automatically in one of the following ways, as:

•   a reduction to your monthly direct debit amount
•   a refund to your bank account following the monthly direct debit collection
•   If you pay by standard credit or payment card

Your discount will be automatically applied as a credit to your account in the first week of each month. The credit will appear as it would if you had made a payment.

If you have a smart prepayment meter, your discount will be credited directly to your smart prepayment meter in the first week of each month.

If you have a traditional prepayment meter. You’ll get the discount from the first week of each month. You’ll get the discount automatically in one of the following ways, as:

•   redeemable vouchers, sent by SMS text, email or post
•   an automatic credit when you top up at your usual top up point
•   Your electricity supplier will let you know in advance how you will get your discount.

Your supplier should have your contact details, but if you’re not sure or you don’t receive any information from them, you should check that they have your latest number and email. If you get vouchers you’ll need to redeem them at a top-up point. Your supplier will tell you where to redeem them, for example at a Post Office (Scottish Gas) or a PayPoint shop. *Payzone outlets are unable to accept the vouchers*.

Warm Home Discount 2022/23

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off discount of £150 on your electricity bill. You don't get any money. If your supplier provides you with gas and electricity, with some suppliers you may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead of your electricity bill. Applications will be open in November, date is to be confirmed.

Winter Fuel Payment

The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get for 2022 to 2023 depends on your circumstances. If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you'll get an extra £300.

When you'll get paid, you’ll get the £300 from November 2022. You’ll get this in addition to any low income or disability Cost of Living Payments you qualify for. The Energy Bills Support Scheme & Warm Home Discount will not impact qualification criteria.

Energy Help

A new scheme for families with children at home and receiving Council Tax Reduction was launched in October 2022 by Glasgow City Council. Please contact Glasgow Helps on 0141 276 1185. You may be entitled to a top up voucher. See here for more information https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=29692

John McConnell

October 2022

Energy Adviser WSHA