Warm Homes Discount changes catch older people out

Age Scotland has been contacted by concerned individuals who are no longer eligible for reduced social tariffs as part of changes to the Warm Homes Discount (WHD).  One person who got in touch saw their fuel tariff increase by nearly 50% overnight.

Age Scotland's Policy Officer, Greg McCracken, said: "Over the next few years, the annual discount available to customers eligible for support will increase which is obviously welcome.  However, this does mean that many older people who previously received support towards their bills, such as reduced tariffs, will lose out."

Those remaining in receipt of support from their energy companies will now be allocated to either the core or broader groups - which is supposed to represent their relative risk from fuel poverty.

However, one of the concerns about the WHD is the difficulty of targeting the fuel poor - particularly as the costs of WHD are passed on to all consumers.  Consequently, those individuals who find they are now excluded from the core and broader groups could face the combined blows of receiving no subsidy as well as higher fuel bills.

Greg McCracken added "Some energy suppliers may provide a discretionary discount to customers in the broader group, and each energy supplier uses different eligibility criteria to assess who receives support.  Therefore, Age Scotland would encourage individuals to contact and engage with their supplier to see what support is available."