The Warm Home Discount scheme obligates participating energy suppliers to provide rebates to eligible customers. Under the scheme in Scotland, customers are eligible if they are either in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or meet the eligibility criteria set by their energy supplier.

Energy suppliers can support households through the Industry Initiatives element of the scheme, through measures such as financial assistance, debt write-off, and energy efficiency. This support can be provided irrespective of whether a person is named on the electricity bill.

The Park Homes Warm Home Discount scheme is run by Charis Grants and is funded voluntarily by energy suppliers under the Industry Initiatives element of the Warm Home Discount scheme. The Park Homes scheme is intended to support fuel-poor households living in park homes who pay for their electricity to their site owner.

Energy suppliers can also provide additional support to households through Industry Initiatives, through measures such as financial assistance, debt write-off, and energy efficiency. This support can be provided to households, irrespective of whether a person is eligible for a rebate under the scheme.

The Government is continuing to support those most in need, including individuals in supported accommodation. Millions of vulnerable households will receive up to £900 in further Cost of Living Payments, with £300 to pensioner households, and £150 to those on eligible disability benefits. Low income and vulnerable households are also being supported this winter through the Winter Fuel Payment worth between £250 - £600 and the Cold Weather Payment providing £25 during very cold weather. Individuals in supported accommodation should visit the ‘Help for Households’ webpage on GOV.UK to see what support they are eligible for.

The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding is delivered by local authorities in Great Britain who are only able to make payments into UK current accounts. The Government has recommended throughout the scheme that any applicants who do not have a bank account open one to receive payment, such as opening a basic bank account, which are free to open. Appointees of eligible households can also apply on behalf of an applicant, using their appointee bank account details.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has regular discussions with Ofgem on a wide range of issues in relation to energy retail markets.

On 28 February Ofgem published a call for input on the non-domestic gas and electricity market. This included seeking inputs about the arrangements whereby some domestic customers have their energy supply collectively arranged for them by a managing entity that agrees a non-domestic energy contract, such as mobile park residents, care home residents, and residents of managed flats. Ofgem’s call for input is open until 31 March.

The new Energy Bill Discount Scheme will run from April 2023 until March 2024 and will continue to provide a discount to eligible non-domestic customers, including care and support accommodation. This follows a review of the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme which engaged with a wide range of stakeholders from the private sector, trade associations, the voluntary sector and other types of organisations.

The Government will continue to provide funding for care home energy bills and up to £2.8 billion this year and £4.7 billion next year will be made available to support adult social care and discharge. This is equivalent to 200,000 additional care packages and the biggest funding increase in history.