Martin Lewis explains how you could be owed hundreds of pounds back on your energy bill
The Money Saving Expert founder has revealed how energy firms are said to be sitting on £3 billion of cash in direct debit credit.
The financial guru has urged people to check their account to see if they are owed money now.
Speaking on the Martin Lewis Podcast on BBC Sounds, he said: 'In May, you should be at your lowers point of credit possible.
'Check your account and if you are owed a lot, you should have it in your pocket.
'If it is over £200 or 300 I would be asking for the money back.'
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Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Major energy supplier dishing out up to £2,500 in free cash to spend at Greggs, M&S or Waitrose
There are some strings attached though CASH IN Major energy supplier dishing out up to £2,500 in free cash to spend at Greggs, M&S or Waitrose Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITS could receive as much as £2,500 in free cash to spend in the likes of Greggs, M&S or Waitrose, thanks to a scheme run by a major energy supplier. has relaunched its 'refer a friend' scheme and the company will hand out £50 in retail vouchers for customers and their friend, if there is a successful referral. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 customers could find themselves better off to the tune of £2,500 thanks to the company's 'refer a friend' scheme Credit: EPA So under the new, improved scheme both the existing customer and the new one will both receive the voucher. They can be spent at a number of high street retailers, including Waitrose, Argos, Greggs and Ticketmaster. However, the money is capped at £2,500. Both parties will receive their voucher once the new customer has paid their first direct debit. Julian Lennertz, Chief Commercial Officer, Next, said: 'We know our customers have really valued the £50 credit they received on their energy account under our previous scheme. "We've also learned that our customers want more choice over where and how they spend their £50 thank you, so they can get the best value for them. 'That's why they can now choose from hundreds of retailers. "And because we appreciate all of our customers, old and new, we have expanded the scheme to reward our new customers as well as the existing ones who are making the referrals.' Next's new scheme has been launched in collaboration with its new referral partner, MentionMe. To be eligible, all existing customers have to do it simply sign up to the scheme. 'It's a no brainer', says Martin Lewis as he reveals 'easy win' way to slash energy bills with swap There are some strings attached though. To be eligible for the voucher, the new customer must transfer from another supplier and sign up to through the existing customer's unique MentionMe link. Customers can make up to five referrals a day, with an overall total of 25 referrals each year. Which means that both the customer and friends could be better off to the tune of £2,500. Last month, millions of households were urged to apply for free energy grants worth up to £1,700. Families who have fallen behind on their gas and electricity bills qualify for help through a little-known fund. The British Gas Individual and Families Fund is open to prepayment meter customers who are in up to £1,700 worth of energy debt. If you can't get help through British Gas' Individual and Families Fund, you might be able to knock money off your energy bill through the Household Support Fund. The fund is a giant £742million pot of money that's been shared between councils in England. These local authorities are now distributing their share of the fund and can set their own eligibility criteria. That means what you're entitled to depends based on where you live, but you will likely qualify for help if you're on benefits or a low income, and may be able to get energy vouchers or cash. Speak to your local council about what help is on offer. You can find your nearest by visiting - Depending on what benefits you're on, you might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, the Warm Home Discount or a Cold Weather Payment too.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Could you be owed £1,000s in overpaid loans? 15-minute check to get a hefty refund
FORMER University students could be owed £1,000s in overpaid loans - here is how to check if you can get a refund. In the last tax year, over one million third level education leavers overpaid their student loans, according to figures released by the Student Loans Company (SLC). 1 But there are a number of reasons you may have been overcharged on your loan. According to MoneySavingExpert, this includes beginning to repay the loan during some months, despite not earning enough in the full year. You are only required to pay your loan back once your income exceeds a certain annual threshold. This varies depending on what type of plan you were on when you started university. There are five plans in total. For example, those on Plan 1, who attended university between 1998-2011 are required to earn a minimum of £26,065 before they begin paying back their loan. Minimum earnings thresholds vary from plan to plan, with those on Plan 2 who attended university between 2021-22 being required to earn £28,470 before they start making repayments. The blog said that if your earnings vary throughout the year, i.e. if you received a bonus, this could lead you to start making repayments before you are actually required to. Another reason you may have overpaid is if you were put on the wrong plan. This can happen if you filled in the student loan section of the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) starter checklist form wrong. Martin Lewis reveals little-known suncream tip You can check which plan you are on by visiting the website. Alternatively, you may be overcharged if you began repaying your loan too early or you had money deducted after the loan was fully repaid. How to get a refund if you have overpaid If you think you have been overcharged, you can get the money back and there a few ways you can go about this. The blog said that former students who began repaying the loan despite not meeting the earnings thresholds can request a refund online. This is done via the government's Student Loan Company (SLC) online portal. To do this, you will need to sign in to your online repayment account and select 'request a refund'. Once you've requested a refund through your online account, it will be processed in 28 days. The money will get paid into your bank account. It is also worth nothing that this only applies for tax years up to 2023-24. More ways to claim Alternatively, students can speak to their employer or call the SLC. This may be applicable if you entered the wrong plan when filling out an HMRC starter form. Ahead of your call, you can check what plan you are on in your online account and download an 'active plan type letter". You can call on 0300 100 0611 to discuss the matter with the SLC. You can also call the helpline if you began repaying your loan too early. The MSE blog said: "When you get through, explain your situation and ask to reclaim the money you're owed. "To make the process smoother, before ringing see if you can dig out any old payslips, your payroll number, and/or your PAYE reference number." There is no restriction on how far back you can claim, so if you think you may have been affected years ago you can still ring up. If you had money deducted after the loan was fully repaid, HMRC should pay you back this money automatically, Readers of the blog have claimed back as much as £3,773 by using these methods. One said: "Thank you so much. I knew something wasn't right when I lodged my tax returns and reading Martin's article was the catalyst for a sustained attempt to work out what had happened. I received £3,773 back." While another said the process only took 15 minutes. They explained: "I spent 15 minutes on the phone and got £555 back for overpayments on my student loan. "Most was because of my maternity leave. Thanks so much, couldn't have come at a better time." How student loan plans work If you wish to attend university you may take out a loan to help cover the costs. The loan is paid directly to the university or college on your behalf. Repayments start from the first April after you finish or leave your course. You repay 9% of your income above the repayment threshold. This means that the majority or basic-rate taxpayers lose 37p for every £1 they earn above the threshold - 20p as income tax, 8p as national insurance and 9p for a student loan. Your repayment threshold will vary depending on when you studied at university. Interest is charged on your loan from the day you receive the first payment until it is repaid in full. How the different student loan plans work HERE'S the rules and repayment thresholds for all the different student loan plans: Plan one You're on Plan 1 if you're: an English or Welsh student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK before 1 September 2012 a Northern Irish student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 1998 an EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 1998, but before 1 September 2012 an EU student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Northern Ireland on or after 1 September 1998 You'll only repay when your income is over £382 a week, £1,657 a month or £19,895 a year (before tax and other deductions). Plan two You're on Plan 2 if you're: an English or Welsh student who started an undergraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 2012 an EU student who started an undergraduate course in England or Wales on or after 1 September 2012 someone who took out an Advanced Learner Loan on or after 1 August 2013 You'll only repay when your income is over £524 a week, £2,274 a month or £27,295 a year (before tax and other deductions). Plan four a Scottish student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course anywhere in the UK on or after 1 September 1998 an EU student who started an undergraduate or postgraduate course in Scotland on or after 1 September 1998 You'll only repay when your income is over £480 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year (before tax and other deductions). Postgraduate loan an English or Welsh student who took out a Postgraduate Master's Loan on or after 1 August 2016 an English or Welsh student who took out a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan on or after 1 August 2018 an EU student who started a postgraduate course on or after 1 August 2016 If you took out a Master's Loan or a Doctoral Loan, you'll only repay when your income is over £403 a week, £1,750 a month or £21,000 a year (before tax and other deductions).
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Scotsman
Warm Home Discount: Martin Lewis urges Brits to act fast
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Millions more households qualify for energy bill help this year, but time is running out ⏳ Sign up to the weekly Cost Of Living newsletter. Saving tips, deals and money hacks. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Martin Lewis has warned millions to check eligibility for the £150 Warm Home Discount To qualify, your name must be on your electricity bill by August 24, 2025 Scheme helps households on certain benefits cut winter energy costs in England, Scotland and Wales Payments are automatic for most in England/Wales, but many in Scotland must apply Park home residents can also apply from August 27, but funding is limited Millions of households could get £150 knocked off their energy bills this winter – but only if they act fast. Consumer champion Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert team has issued a warning to check now whether you're set to receive the Warm Home Discount, a government scheme designed to help with rising energy costs. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The most common reason people miss out on the Warm Home Discount is because their name isn't on their electricity bill by the qualifying date. Even if you're eligible for the right benefit, you'll get nothing if the account is in someone else's name. While 2.7 million more people qualify this year, many could miss out simply because their name isn't on their energy bill by the qualifying date. (Photos: Getty Images) | Getty Images With energy costs still high and winter approaching, £150 can make a real difference, and the deadline to get the correct name on your electricity bill is fast approaching - Sunday, August 24, 2025. If you've moved recent, you could still get the discount – but you must ensure your name is on your new electricity account by August 24. Don't assume this happens automatically; contact your supplier to confirm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What is the Warm Home Discount? The Warm Home Discount is a yearly £150 payment towards energy costs for eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales. It's normally applied directly to your electricity account between October 2025 and March 2026, but if your supplier provides both electricity and gas, you may be able to have it applied to your gas bill instead. You'll need to ask your supplier about this. How it works in England and Wales If you live in England or Wales and receive a qualifying means-tested benefit, you should get the payment automatically – as long as your supplier is part of the scheme and you're named on your electricity account by 24 August 2025. Qualifying benefits include: Housing Benefit Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Income Support Pension Credit Universal Credit You can check eligibility via the government's Warm Home Discount online tool. But first, confirm your energy supplier offers the Warm Home Discount. Most large suppliers do, but if yours doesn't, you won't get it even if you qualify. How it works in Scotland In Scotland, the scheme is different. Payment is usually automatic for Pension Credit (guarantee element) recipients, if you're named on your bill by 24 August 2025. Others on certain benefits may qualify under the 'broader group', but you must apply directly to your supplier. Funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis – so apply as soon as possible in October. If you live in a park home and don't have a direct electricity account, you can still get the £150 if you meet the income or benefit criteria. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Applications open August 27, 2025 via the Charis Grants website. Funding is limited, so apply early each year. Visit Warm Home Discount pages or your energy supplier's website for full eligibility details. How the £150 is paid If you are on a standard credit or smart prepayment meter, the £150 will be added as credit to your electricity account automatically. Those on more 'traditional' prepayment meters will be sent a top-up voucher by post, email or text, which you can redeem at the Post Office or a PayPoint shop. You'll need ID such as a passport or driving licence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Are you struggling to make ends meet as costs continue to rise? You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers. Utility Warehouse Cut costs by bundling household bills with Utility Warehouse (aff) £ 0.00 Buy now Buy now With household expenses continuing to rise and energy bills still higher than pre-crisis levels, more people are turning to Utility Warehouse (UW) to save money. UW lets you bundle services like broadband, mobile, energy and insurance into one streamlined account—reducing hassle while unlocking multi-service discounts. The more you bundle, the more you save. Customers benefit from a single monthly bill, up to £400 towards early exit fees, and access to cashback on everyday spending. UW also offers the UK's cheapest variable energy tariff when bundled, helping shield households from further price hikes. Find out more about switching to Utility Warehouse
