What is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that provides a £150 one-off discount on electricity bills during winter. It's available to people on low incomes or certain benefits. The discount is applied directly to your electricity account — you don't receive cash.

Do I need to apply for the Warm Home Discount?

It depends on your situation. If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you're in the 'Core Group' and should receive it automatically. If you're in the 'Broader Group' (low income or certain benefits), you may receive it automatically through data matching, or need to check with your supplier.

When is the Warm Home Discount paid?

Payments are made between October and March each winter. If you're in the Core Group, you'll typically receive your discount by early January. Broader Group payments may be made at different times through the winter.

Can I get the Warm Home Discount if I have a prepayment meter?

Yes. If you have a prepayment meter, the £150 will be credited to your meter rather than deducted from a bill. You may receive a voucher to redeem at your usual top-up point, or it may be added directly to your meter.

Do I get the Warm Home Discount on both gas and electricity?

No — the Warm Home Discount is only applied to electricity bills, not gas. You receive one discount per household per year, regardless of how many eligible people live there.

Can I get the Warm Home Discount if I'm on a fixed tariff?

Yes. The Warm Home Discount is not affected by what type of tariff you're on. As long as you meet the eligibility criteria and your supplier participates in the scheme, you can receive the discount.

Warm Home Discount 2025/26: How to Get £150 Off Your Energy Bill

The Warm Home Discount scheme provides a £150 discount on electricity bills for people on low incomes or certain benefits. This guide explains who qualifies, how the scheme works, and what to do if you haven’t received your payment.

Warm Home Discount at a Glance

Feature	Detail
Amount	£150 (2025/26 rate)
Frequency	Once per year, per household
Payment	Credit to electricity account
When paid	October to March
Who qualifies	Low income + certain benefits
Application	Automatic for most; check eligibility

Who Qualifies?

Core Group 1 (Automatic)

Criterion	Detail
Benefit	Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit element)
How identified	DWP data sharing
Application needed	No — automatic
Supplier participation	All major suppliers

If you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, you should receive the discount automatically without applying.

Core Group 2 (Data Matched)

Criterion	Detail
Property	High energy cost property
Income	Low income threshold
Benefits	Receiving certain qualifying benefits
How identified	Government data matching
Application needed	No — automatic if matched

Core Group 2 Qualifying Benefits

Benefit	Included
Income Support	✓
Income-based JSA	✓
Income-related ESA	✓
Universal Credit	✓ (with low income)
Child Tax Credit	✓ (if low income)
Working Tax Credit	✓ (if low income)
Pension Credit	✓ (Savings Credit)
Housing Benefit	✓

Plus: Your property must meet high energy cost criteria based on EPC data.

Income Thresholds (Indicative)

Household Type	Approximate Threshold
Single, no children	Under £18,600
Couple, no children	Under £26,800
Single parent, one child	Under £25,500
Couple, one child	Under £33,700
Single parent, two children	Under £32,400
Couple, two children	Under £40,600

Note: Thresholds vary based on circumstances and property. These are indicative.

How the Scheme Works

England and Wales (Reformed Scheme)

Since winter 2022/23, England and Wales operate under a reformed scheme:

Feature	How It Works
Eligibility check	Government matches benefit data with property data
High cost property	Determined by address using EPC/demographic info
Notification	Letter confirming eligibility
Payment	Automatic credit to supplier account

Scotland (Separate Scheme)

Scotland operates a slightly different scheme.

Feature	Scotland
Core Group	Same as England/Wales
Broader group	May need to apply
Contact	Energy supplier direct

When Will I Receive Payment?

Payment Timeline

Group	Typical Payment Timeframe
Core Group 1 (Pension Credit)	November - December
Core Group 2 (Data matched)	December - March
Prepayment meter customers	Voucher or credit by March

How Payment Appears

Meter Type	How You Get It
Direct debit	Credit on next bill
Quarterly bills	£150 off next bill
Prepay (traditional)	Voucher (first-class post)
Smart prepay	Direct credit to meter
Pay-as-you-go	Voucher to redeem

Step-by-Step: Getting Your Discount

For Pension Credit Recipients

Check you receive Guarantee Credit — check your award letter
Ensure supplier has correct details — name and address match
Wait for automatic payment — no action usually needed
Check your bill/meter — credit should appear by January

For Others (Potential Core Group 2)

Check qualifying benefits — are you receiving one from the list?
Wait for eligibility letter — government sends these September onwards
If letter received — no action needed, payment follows
If no letter — you may not meet high-cost property criteria
Contact supplier — some have limited discretionary schemes

If You Have a Prepayment Meter

Ensure correct address — supplier needs accurate details
Watch for voucher — arrives by post if traditional prepay
Redeem promptly — vouchers expire after 90 days
Smart meter — credit may be applied automatically

What If I Haven’t Received It?

Checklist

Check	Action
Correct address with supplier	Update if wrong
Name matches benefit claim	Must be same
Receiving qualifying benefit	Check status
Live in England/Wales	Different rules in Scotland
Supplier participates	Most do, check their website
Already received this year	One per household

Contact Points

Issue	Who to Contact
Eligibility question	WHD helpline: 0800 107 8002
Not received credit	Your energy supplier
Pension Credit query	Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
General benefits query	Universal Credit helpline or DWP
Lost voucher (prepay)	Energy supplier

Other Energy Help Available

Winter Fuel Payment

Feature	Detail
Amount	£200 or £300
Who qualifies	State Pension age, born before set date
Application	Automatic (usually)
When paid	November to December

Note: Winter 2024/25 eligibility changed to Pension Credit recipients only. Check current rules.

Cold Weather Payment

Feature	Detail
Amount	£25 per 7-day cold period
Who qualifies	Certain benefits + very cold weather
Application	Automatic
When paid	Within 14 days of cold spell

Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

Feature	Detail
What	Free or subsidised insulation/boiler
Who qualifies	Benefits or low income
Application	Through energy supplier or installer
Results	Lower ongoing bills

Household Support Fund

Feature	Detail
What	Council-distributed crisis fund
Who qualifies	Varies by council
Application	Contact local authority
Help available	Energy bills, food, essentials

Priority Services Register

Feature	Detail
What	Free support for vulnerable customers
Who qualifies	Pensioners, disabled, chronically ill
Application	Contact supplier
Services	Advance notice of cuts, meter reading, etc.

Warm Home Discount FAQ by Situation

I’m on Universal Credit

Situation	Likely Outcome
UC + low income + high-cost property	Probably eligible (data matched)
UC + low income + efficient property	May not qualify
UC + higher earnings	Probably not eligible

I’m a Private Tenant

Question	Answer
Can I get WHD as a tenant?	Yes, if you pay the electricity bill
Landlord pays bills?	They would receive credit
Housing association?	You can receive if you pay bill

I’ve Just Switched Supplier

Timing	Impact
Switched before data match	New supplier should apply credit
Switched after	Original supplier may have credited
Credit with old supplier	May be refunded to you

I Have a Smart Meter

Situation	How Credit Works
Smart with bills	Credit applied to account
Smart prepayment	Automatic top-up of credit
Traditional prepay	Voucher sent by post

Tips to Maximise Energy Help

Check All Entitlements

Support	Who to Contact
Pension Credit	Pension Service
Council Tax Reduction	Local authority
Benefits check	Citizens Advice or Turn2us
Supplier hardship fund	Your energy company

Reduce Energy Costs Further

Action	Potential Saving
Switch to better tariff	Up to £300/year
Use smart meter data	10-15% reduction
Draught proofing	£60-100/year
Turn down thermostat 1°	£145/year
Energy-efficient bulbs	£75/year

Get Free Home Improvements

Scheme	What’s Available
ECO4	Insulation, heating upgrades
LA Flex	Council-referred insulation
Boiler Upgrade Scheme	Heat pump grants
Home Upgrade Grant	Off-gas properties

Summary

The Warm Home Discount provides £150 off electricity bills for:

Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) recipients — automatic payment
Low-income households in high energy cost properties — automatic via data matching

Key dates for 2025/26:

Eligibility letters: September onwards
Core Group 1 payments: November - December
Core Group 2 payments: December - March

If you think you qualify but haven’t received it:

Check your details are correct with your supplier
Contact the WHD helpline: 0800 107 8002
Ask about supplier hardship funds if you’re struggling

Remember, this is one of several schemes available — also check eligibility for Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payment, and energy efficiency grant programmes.