British Gas is handing customers a free £150 payment for winter

British Gas is giving eligible customers the extra cash through the government's Warm Home Discount scheme, it has confirmed.

The UK’s biggest energy firm with seven million customers will give thousands a free £150 for winter. British Gas is giving eligible customers the extra cash through the government's Warm Home Discount scheme, it has confirmed.

British Gas will begin paying the Warm Home Discount to thousands of customers from October. The eligibility requirements for the Warm Home Discount are the same as last year. To qualify, you need to claim either the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit or a different 'qualifying benefit.'

The Government will make an assessment of your energy costs based on the property you live in. British Gas explained: "If you live in England or Wales and we supply your electricity, you don’t need to apply, even if you applied in previous years. The Government decide who is eligible and will write to you if you are. We then make the payment to you by 31st March 2025.

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"If you are not eligible for the scheme, unfortunately we can't help you appeal as it was all decided by the Government. Customers wishing to appeal any decisions in England and Wales will need to visit the Government's dedicated website."

The qualifiying benefits laid out by the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) and Labour Party government are Income support and Income based jobseeker's allowance as well as Income related employment and support allowance, Housing benefit, Universal Credit, Child tax credit, Working tax credits and the "savings credit" part of pension credit.

If you weren't claiming any of the above benefits on August 11, 2024, you won't be eligible for the payment. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you should expect to receive the payment between the middle of October and the end of March at the very latest.

British Gas is rivalled by the likes of Octopus, EDF, E On and Ovo.