Government Energy Rebate Scheme for UK Pensioners

Many pensioners in the UK will soon be receiving a rebate under the government’s energy rebate scheme which will be deducted automatically off their bills.

The scheme which almost all the energy companies participate and contribute to in the UK provides a one off rebate to many pensioners over the age of 70 and receiving pension credits to the tune of an £80 rebate. The energy rebate scheme is set up so that the poorest of pensioners should not have to worry too much about turning up their heating during the coldest winter months and is automatically applied to your electricity and gas bills.

Which Companies Are Involved ?

The scheme is a joint initiative between the government and the UK energy providers and the following companies are involved: Scottish Power, Manweb, Southern Electricity, SWALEC, Scottish Hydro, Atlantic, Ebico, M&S Energy, E.ON, npower, npower juice, National Trust Green Energy, Utility Warehouse, British Gas, Scottish Gas,  EDF Energy, Sainsbury’s Energy — so if your company is listed and you are eligible then you’ll receive the discount.

How and When Will I Receive the Rebate ?

The energy suppliers listed above share the information they have about customers with the government and so long as you qualify your utility company will provide the discount automatically on your bill. You are eligible to receive the rebate if on 26th March you:

• Receive the guaranteed pension credit (but not the savings credit)
• Are responsible for the electricity in your household
• Are aged 70 years or over

If you live in a care home or have been in hospital receiving in patient treatment then you are not eligible. You shouldn’t actually need to do anything because your data is shared between your utility company and the government so they know your eligibility status and the £80 discount will be directly applied to your bill in the coming months.

Although this is a new scheme and funded by the big 6 energy companies there may of course be teething troubles with the administration so it’s best to wait a few months to see if the payment comes through on your bill before contacting the direct government hotlines. One of the key pieces of data that is shared is the name on the electricity bill so it makes sense to ensure now that your details that the government has for pension credits is the same that your utility company also has.

Yvette Cooper the government’s pensions secretary said: “I don’t want any vulnerable pensioners to be afraid to turn up their heating. That’s why we’ve spent a record £295 million in cold weather payments and £2.7 billion in winter fuel payments so far this winter.

This is a welcome injection of cash to those who most need it but of course the administration process does need to ensure that those who need it actually receive the payment. It is estimated that over 250,000 homeowners will benefit from this additional payment after some of the coldest winter weather experienced in the UK for over 30 years together with some of the highest electricity and gas prices for this century.