State pensioners being sent letter from British Gas, Ovo, EDF, EON, Octopus worth free £150

State pensioners are being handed a free £150 from British Gas, OVO, EDF and E.ON, as well as Octopus and Scottish Power, ahead of Christmas. The cash will be given through the Labour Party government's Warm Home Discount scheme.

This scheme gives low-income or vulnerable households a £150 discount on their electricity bill between October and March. The money is paid directly into your energy account, by your supplier, instead of cash directly into your bank account.

If you're on a prepay meter, you're usually sent a top-up voucher. You should get the payment automatically if you, or your partner, receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit. This is known as "Core Group 1" in England and Wales and "Core Group" in Scotland.

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You may also be able to claim the Warm Home Discount if you are on a low income, claiming certain benefits and have high energy costs. This is known as being in the "Core Group 2" if you live in England and Wales. The qualifying benefits which could make you eligible in England and Wales include:

• Housing Benefit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• "Savings Credit" part of Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

You could also qualify if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you get Working or Child Tax Credit. You will have needed to claim these benefits on August 13 this year to be eligible for the discount. If you live in Scotland and you claim benefits, you’ll need to apply for the Warm Home Discount through your supplier under the “Broader Group” criteria.

Your electricity supplier may have extra eligibility criteria, as it is up to them who gets the discount in Scotland. The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland. If you don't receive a letter, and you think you're eligible, you can call the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 107 8002.