HUNDREDS of thousands of households have just one week left to claim a key benefit and ensure they get £150 off their energy bill this winter.

Additional support comes from the government Warm discount for the home.

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There are two Warm Home Discount schemes: one for England and one for England. Walesand one for Scotland.

Those who live in England and Wales do not need to apply for the scheme, but those living in Scotland do.

By December, the government will send letters to households eligible for this program.

However, to be eligible for the discount you must have requested one of the nine benefits on a specific date in August.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, which runs the £150 Warm Home Discount, says households must have had active demand for one of the following benefits on Sunday August 11:

However, even if you did not receive Pension credit on the August 11 qualifying date, there is a tip you can follow to ensure you get the extra money later.

In fact, your eligibility for certain benefits may be backdated.

For example, successful pension credit applications may be backdated by three months.

The latest figures show that a huge 760,000 people are eligible but I didn’t make a complaint.

As well as missing out on a £300 winter fuel payment, they will not receive the £150 Warm Home Discount payment.

You will therefore need to initiate your claim before Sunday, November 10, and then have it backdated to cover the Warm Home Discount qualification date of August 11.

To find out more, visit gov.uk/pension-credit.

The Sun has already launched a free tool to help you check if you are entitled to benefits.

Free Benefits Checker is partnered with Poverty charity Turn2Us as part of our SOS winter fuel campaign.

Timeline of warm house discounts in England and Wales

Households in England and Wales will receive a letter between October 2024 and early January 2025 informing you:

• You are eligible and you will automatically benefit from the reduction
• You may be eligible and need to provide more information.
• The letter will ask you to call the helpline by February 29, 2024 to confirm your contact details.

If you do not receive the letter by early January 2024 and you think you are eligible, you should call the helpline on 0800 030 9322.

If you are eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the reduction to your bill before March 31, 2025.

Some Scottish households must apply

In Scotland there is a “core group” who will receive an automatic payment and a “wider group” who will need to apply for the scheme through their energy supplier.

You will need to check directly with your energy supplier for eligibility requirements and details of how to apply.

The program will have more applicants than places, so be sure to apply as early as possible.

How it’s paid

If you pay by direct debit or when you receive your bill, the Warm Home discount of £150 will usually be added to your electricity account as a credit.

Once applied it will appear on your following Invoice.

If you have a traditional prepayment meter, your energy supplier will send you a letter explaining how you will benefit from your reduction.

You will usually receive a Post Office good in the mail with instructions on how to use it.

If you have a prepayment smart meter, your supplier will automatically credit your meter with the reduction.

What energy bill help is available?

There are different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.

If you fall into debt, you can always contact your provider to see if they can offer you a repayment plan before signing up to a prepayment meter.

This involves paying off what you owe in installments over a set period of time.

If your provider offers you a repayment plan that you don’t think you can afford, talk to them again to see if you can negotiate a better price. agreement.

Several energy companies have subsidy programs available for customers who are struggling to pay their bills.

But eligibility criteria varies by provider, and the amount you can get depends on your financial situation.

For example, British gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

British Gas is also offering help through its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.

You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus energy and Scottish Power also offer grants to customers in difficulty.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on additional support and protections by not registering on the Priority Services Register (PSR).

The service helps support vulnerable people householdssuch as the elderly or sick, and some of the benefits include being notified in advance of power outagesfree gas security checks and additional support if you experience difficulties.

Contact your energy company to see if you can apply.