Get £150 off your electricity bill this winter. Government scheme helping 3 million low-income and vulnerable households with energy costs October 2025 to March 2026.
Check if you likely qualify for Warm Home Discount 2025-26:
The Warm Home Discount is a government-funded scheme that provides a one-off £150 discount on electricity bills to help low-income and vulnerable households with winter energy costs:
Warm Home Discount has two groups with different criteria:
| Group | Who Qualifies | How Many People | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Group 1 (Pension Credit) |
Receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit element on 24 August 2025 | ~800,000 households | ✅ Automatic - no application needed |
| Core Group 2 (Low Income) |
Receive qualifying means-tested benefits AND live in property with high energy costs on 24 August 2025 | ~2.2 million households | ✅ Mostly automatic - some may need to confirm details by phone |
← Scroll table horizontally on mobile →
You automatically qualify if ALL of these apply:
Important: Must be Guarantee Credit specifically - if you only receive Savings Credit (not Guarantee), you fall under Core Group 2 instead (see below).
You may qualify if ALL of these apply:
Government uses property data to identify homes expensive to heat. Factors include:
Automatic assessment: Government cross-references Department for Work & Pensions benefits data with Valuation Office Agency property data to identify eligible households. You don't provide property details - they already have them!
Estimate: Approximately 60-70% of people on qualifying benefits will meet the high energy cost criteria (2.2 million out of ~3.5 million benefit recipients).
Unlike many government schemes, Warm Home Discount is largely automatic - you usually don't need to apply:
Some Core Group 2 customers receive a letter asking them to confirm details:
If you think you're eligible but haven't received a letter by early January 2026:
Some suppliers run their own additional schemes alongside the government Warm Home Discount:
Note: You cannot "apply" for the main government Warm Home Discount through your supplier - it's automatic based on benefits data. However, some suppliers offer their own discretionary schemes for vulnerable customers who don't meet government criteria. Contact your supplier to ask about their hardship/social funds (typically £100-300 grants).
Payment timing varies by supplier and eligibility group:
| Eligibility Group | Typical Payment Period | Latest Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Core Group 1 (Pension Credit) | November 2025 - January 2026 | 31 March 2026 |
| Core Group 2 (Low Income - Automatic) | December 2025 - February 2026 | 31 March 2026 |
| Core Group 2 (Required to Call) | January 2026 - March 2026 (after calling to confirm) |
31 March 2026 |
← Scroll table horizontally on mobile →
All energy suppliers with 150,000+ customers MUST participate in Warm Home Discount:
| Supplier | Participates? | Customer Service |
|---|---|---|
| British Gas | ✅ Yes | 0330 100 0303 |
| EDF Energy | ✅ Yes | 0333 200 5100 |
| E.ON Next | ✅ Yes | 0808 501 5200 |
| Octopus Energy | ✅ Yes | 0330 053 5533 |
| OVO Energy | ✅ Yes | 0330 303 5063 |
| Scottish Power | ✅ Yes | 0330 102 7105 |
| Shell Energy | ✅ Yes | 0330 094 5800 |
| SSE / OVO | ✅ Yes | 0330 303 5063 |
| Utilita | ✅ Yes | 0345 207 2056 |
| Utility Warehouse | ✅ Yes | 0333 777 0777 |
| Smaller suppliers (under 150k customers) | ⚠️ Some do, some don't (voluntary participation) | Contact your supplier directly |
← Scroll table horizontally on mobile →
Small supplier not participating? If your electricity supplier has under 150,000 customers and chooses not to participate in Warm Home Discount, you have two options:
Yes! Warm Home Discount (£150) is separate from Winter Fuel Payment (£200-300 for pensioners). If you qualify for both, you receive both - they don't cancel each other out.
However: Winter Fuel Payment eligibility changed dramatically for 2025-26 - now only pensioners receiving Pension Credit or other means-tested benefits qualify (previously all pensioners 65+ got it). So if you qualify for Warm Home Discount via Pension Credit, you likely also qualify for Winter Fuel Payment.
Yes! Cold Weather Payments are separate - you receive £25 for each 7-day period when temperature in your area drops below 0°C (November-March). If you receive Pension Credit or other qualifying benefits, you can get Warm Home Discount £150 PLUS multiple Cold Weather Payments (typical winter: 2-4 payments = £50-100).
Sometimes. Warm Home Discount is applied to electricity by default. However, if you're a dual-fuel customer (same supplier for both electricity and gas), some suppliers allow you to request the £150 be applied to gas bill instead. Contact your supplier to ask - approval varies by company.
Discount goes to your electricity supplier only (the one you had on 24 August 2025). Your gas supplier does not participate even if you qualify - it's electricity-focused because heating oil, LPG, and other non-electric heating users would be excluded if gas-only.
Only if you continue to qualify. Warm Home Discount runs every winter, but eligibility reassessed annually. If you receive qualifying benefits on the qualifying date each year (typically late August), you'll get £150 each winter. If benefits stop or circumstances change, you may not qualify next year.
No. Warm Home Discount is a non-taxable benefit - doesn't count as income for tax purposes. Also doesn't affect other benefits you receive.
Only the named account holder on the electricity bill can claim. If you share a house where one person's name is on the bill, only that person gets £150 (not per person). If bills are split with separate meters/accounts, each named account holder who qualifies receives £150.
No. If the landlord pays the electricity bill (bills included in rent), the landlord is the account holder and would need to meet eligibility criteria themselves. Tenants cannot claim if they're not named on the bill. However, landlords receiving Housing Benefit for the property may qualify under their own circumstances.
Warm Home Discount is one of several support options for struggling households:
| Scheme | Amount | Eligibility | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Fuel Payment | £200-300 | Pensioners receiving Pension Credit or means-tested benefits (changed 2024 - was all pensioners 65+) | Automatic if eligible (paid Nov-Dec) |
| Cold Weather Payments | £25 per 7-day cold period | Receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, ESA, JSA, Income Support | Automatic when temp below 0°C |
| Household Support Fund | Varies £50-500 | Low-income households - criteria set by local council | Apply through your local council |
| Energy Supplier Grants | £100-300 | Varies by supplier - struggling customers, debt, vulnerable | Contact your energy supplier directly |
| Water Sure Plus | Cap bills £435/year | Water customers: metered, 3+ children OR medical needs, receiving benefits | Apply to water company |
| Priority Services Register | FREE extra support | Elderly, disabled, chronic illness, families with young children | Register with energy/water supplier |
← Scroll table horizontally on mobile →
Overview: Government Warm Home Discount £150 one-off electricity bill credit winter 2025-26 (Oct-Mar) helps 3 million low-income vulnerable households energy costs England Wales Scotland (NOT Northern Ireland separate Affordable Warmth scheme). Automatic for most eligible people based qualifying date 24 August 2025 - must receive Pension Credit Guarantee OR low-income means-tested benefits PLUS live property high energy costs. Letter sent Oct-Jan confirms eligibility payment by 31 March deadline most Jan-Feb. Helpline 0800 731 0214 if no letter by early Jan or need confirm details deadline 28 Feb 2026.
Two eligibility groups: Core Group 1 (800k people) Pension Credit Guarantee Credit automatic guaranteed £150 named electricity bill no property criteria simple. Core Group 2 (2.2M people) receive qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, income-related ESA, income-based JSA, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Pension Credit Savings Credit) AND property has high energy costs based government data detached/semi-detached, pre-1980 build, solid walls, electric heating, poor insulation, low EPC rating E/F/G increases eligibility. Automatic matching benefits data + Valuation Office property data identifies eligible households 60-70% qualifying benefit recipients meet high energy cost criteria. Not eligible: contribution-based ESA/JSA only income versions qualify, State Pension alone need Pension Credit or other benefits, low income but no benefits scheme requires benefits not income threshold, not named bill landlord pays cannot claim, low energy cost property new build good insulation may exclude, Northern Ireland not covered, benefits started after 24 Aug miss qualifying date.
Application mostly automatic: DO NOT need apply if Core Group 1 Pension Credit Guarantee automatic letter confirms payment no action. Core Group 2 mostly automatic government cross-references data letter either confirms automatic OR asks call helpline verify details. Call required some Core Group 2 letter says "may be eligible call confirm" deadline 28 Feb 2026 helpline 0800 731 0214 5-10 min call verify personal details benefits electricity bill. No letter by early Jan? Check met criteria 24 Aug qualifying benefits + named bill, wait mid-Jan some letters later, call helpline by end Feb check status have NI number benefits reference account number ready, backdated claims may qualify if backdated to 24 Aug or earlier mention on call.
Payment timing & method: Standard credit meters £150 credited electricity account appears "Warm Home Discount" next bill reduces balance. Direct Debit customers credit reduces account may lower next payment or refund if in credit. Prepayment meters £150 voucher posted take PayPoint/Post Office top-up. Dual fuel customers can request transfer gas bill if same supplier contact ask approval varies. Payment window Oct 2025-31 March 2026 typical timing Core Group 1 Nov-Jan, Core Group 2 automatic Dec-Feb, after calling Jan-Mar. Usually 4-8 weeks after letter automatic, 2-4 weeks after calling confirm. Late payment? Contact supplier first check status, deadline 31 March all must pay by then, escalate complaint if missing after early April, Ombudsman 0330 440 1624 after 8 weeks can order payment + compensation.
Participating suppliers: All major suppliers 150k+ customers mandatory British Gas, EDF, E.ON Next, Octopus, OVO, Scottish Power, Shell, SSE, Utilita, Utility Warehouse all participate. Smaller suppliers under 150k voluntary some participate some don't contact directly check. Not participating? Switch to major supplier get Warm Home Discount OR ask current supplier own hardship fund £50-200 alternatives.
FAQs answered: Can get Warm Home Discount + Winter Fuel Payment? YES both separate £150 + £200-300 don't cancel (but Winter Fuel now only Pension Credit/means-tested benefits 2025-26 changed from all pensioners 65+). Can get + Cold Weather Payments? YES separate £25 per 7-day period below 0°C typical 2-4 payments winter £50-100 plus £150 Warm Home. Switch supplier before payment? Discount transfers new supplier contact them will pay instead. After payment? Keep it no repayment needed. Gas instead electricity? Sometimes if dual-fuel same supplier can request gas instead contact ask approval varies. Different suppliers gas/electric? Electricity supplier only pays gas doesn't participate. Every year? Only if continue qualify reassessed annually benefits on qualifying date each Aug. Taxable? NO non-taxable doesn't affect other benefits. Shared accommodation? Only named account holder gets £150 not per person separate meters each named holder qualifies. Landlords claim tenants? NO tenants not named bill landlord account holder would need meet own criteria bills included rent tenant cannot claim.
Other energy help available: Winter Fuel Payment £200-300 pensioners Pension Credit/means-tested automatic Nov-Dec (changed 2024 was all 65+), Cold Weather Payments £25 per 7-day cold period auto when below 0°C, Household Support Fund £50-500 low-income via local council varies by area, Energy Supplier Grants £100-300 contact supplier hardship funds debt support, Water Sure Plus caps £435/year metered 3+ kids medical needs benefits, Priority Services Register FREE extra support elderly disabled chronic illness register supplier. Stack benefits: eligible household could receive Warm Home £150 + Winter Fuel £300 + Cold Weather £100 (4 payments) + supplier grant £200 = £750 total winter support!
Contact helpline 0800 731 0214 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm if: no letter by early Jan think eligible, letter asks confirm details deadline 28 Feb, payment not received by late March, eligibility questions, supplier switched need update, backdated benefits claim mention. Have ready: NI number, benefits reference, electricity supplier name + account number, address DOB. Alternative languages Welsh available, interpreters arranged, Text Relay 18001 0800 731 0214 hearing difficulties, large print request accessible format. Post: 110552 Warm Home Discount Scheme, PO Box 26965, Glasgow G1 9BW. Gov website www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme. Action: check eligibility qualifying benefits 24 Aug + named bill + England/Wales/Scotland, wait letter Oct-Jan automatic for most, call if asked or no letter by early Jan deadline 28 Feb, receive £150 Oct-Mar by 31 March deadline, explore other support Winter Fuel Cold Weather supplier grants stack benefits maximize help £750+ possible winter support!