By Richard Guttridge
Copyright birminghammail
Millions of Universal Credit claimants are in line for a financial boost from October. More benefit claimants will receive help this winter through the Government’s Warm Home Discount scheme, which is being extended this year. It knocks £150 off energy bills one time only during the colder months. READ MORE: HMRC to take money from millions of pensioners under ‘unfair’ rule Get our best money saving tips and hacks by signing up to our newsletter Around three million extra households will qualify for the scheme this year after new rules were announced by the Government. Everyone on Universal Credit will now be eligible, as well as those on certain other benefits like Housing Benefit and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Previously, only some of these households received the financial boost. It means the financial boost may come as a surprise to some households who have never received it before. The discount is applied directly to bills rather than being made as a cash payment. The Government says the system has now been made fairer by ensuring everyone on UC qualifies. Low-income pensioners on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit will continue to receive the discount. The discount to bills can happen any time between October and March and British Gas says most households should have it by the end of January. The energy giant said: “If you qualify for the winter 2025/26 payment, you will have your one-off £150 discount applied between November 2025-March 31, 2026 at the latest, with most customers receiving their WHD before January 26.” You can also get all your favourite content from BirminghamLive on WhatsApp. Click here to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories in the region. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the BirminghamLive app. You can get it from Apple here and for Android here .
