Warm Home Discount: How to Get the £150 Energy Bill Discount

The Warm Home Discount is a £150 one-off discount on your electricity bill during winter, designed to help eligible households with their energy costs. The money is normally added directly to your electricity account rather than paid to you separately. For the 2026/27 scheme, the programme is currently closed and will reopen in October 2026. Most eligible households in England and Wales receive the discount automatically, while some households in Scotland may need to apply through their energy supplier.

Who qualifies automatically for the Warm Home Discount

In England and Wales, you can qualify for the Warm Home Discount if, on the qualifying date, you or your partner receive a qualifying means-tested benefit and you or your partner are named on the electricity bill. For winter 2026 to 2027, qualifying benefits include Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The qualifying date for this scheme year is 23 August 2026.

For eligible households in the core group, the government uses information shared with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to identify potential recipients. The Warm Home Discount is then applied by your electricity supplier as a £150 rebate. You do not normally need to make a separate application in England and Wales, although you may be contacted if your details cannot be matched or additional information is needed.

Who may qualify through the broader group

The rules are different in Scotland, where the Broader Group operates alongside the automatic Core Group. In Scotland, the Warm Home Discount Broader Group is aimed at certain low-income households, with eligibility criteria set by participating energy suppliers and approved by Ofgem. The exact requirements can vary between suppliers and may depend on benefits or household circumstances.

Because Warm Home Discount eligibility differs between Scotland and England and Wales, check the latest criteria for your location and electricity supplier rather than assuming the same rules apply across Great Britain. The scheme is available in England, Scotland and Wales, but the application and eligibility process differs between the nations.

If you live in Scotland and think you may qualify for the Warm Home Discount £150 payment, contact your electricity supplier when its application window opens and check whether you meet its Broader Group criteria. Some eligible households may receive the payment automatically, while others need to apply directly to their supplier.