State pensioners being handed free £150 after having Winter Fuel Payment cut

State pensioners are being handed £150 payments towards their energy bills. The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) is rolling out £150 payments to state pensioners who've lost the £300 Winter Fuel Allowance in the form of the Warm Gome Discount scheme.

The DWP Warm Home Discount scheme gives a one-off payment of £150 to those who are potentially struggling to pay their energy bills during the cold winter months. Depending on whether you live in England and Wales or Scotland, the criteria is different, energy firms have said.

The Warm Home Discount scheme gives a one-off payment of £150 to those who are potentially struggling to pay their energy bills during the cold winter months. Don’t forget, if you live in England or Wales and are eligible for the payment, you won't need to apply as the Government will automatically tell us who to pay.

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There are two groups eligible for the Warm Home Discount; Core Group 1 and Core Group 2. The DWP haven't confirmed the eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount yet, please check the GOV.UK website for all the latest updates.

If you meet the criteria for these groups and have a live electricity supply with your firm on the qualification date (11 August 2024) – then the supplier will let you know if you’re eligible by early December. In England and Wales, if you’re eligible for the payment, you don’t need to apply.

The Government carries out checks using data it holds on your household and benefits to decide who receives the £150. Your Warm Home Discount payment will be sent in different ways depending on how you pay for your energy.

You can head to the Government website and sign into your account to find out what benefits you currently receive by visiting www.gov.uk/browse/benefits.