Warm Home Discount — 2026 Guide
What it covers
Electricity bill
Who qualifies
Qualifying benefits
Value
£150
Where
England, Scotland, Wales
What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a £150 one-off discount applied to your electricity bill each winter. It's separate from the Winter Fuel Payment (which is for pensioners) and is focused on households receiving means-tested benefits.
The discount is funded by energy suppliers under government obligation. It doesn't involve an application to the government — you deal with your energy supplier directly, and for many qualifying households it's applied automatically.
Who qualifies?
Core group (automatic)
If you receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), you'll usually receive the discount automatically from your energy supplier — no action needed.
Broader group (may need to apply)
You may also qualify if you receive:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child Tax Credit (household income under £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
For the broader group, you may need to contact your energy supplier to apply. The window to apply typically opens in autumn.
How to apply
- 1
Check your supplier participates
Major suppliers (British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Octopus, OVO, Scottish Power, Utilita) all participate. Smaller suppliers may not.
- 2
Check your eligibility
If you receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), you should be enrolled automatically. For other benefits, contact your supplier in autumn.
- 3
Contact your supplier
Call or go online to your energy account. Have your benefit award letter ready.
- 4
Discount applied
If approved, the £150 is applied to your electricity bill before 31 March.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme where participating energy suppliers give qualifying customers a £150 discount on their electricity bill each winter.
How is the £150 paid?
The £150 is applied directly to your electricity bill — you don't receive cash. If you're on a prepayment meter, you'll receive a voucher to top up your meter.
Will I receive it automatically?
If you receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), you will usually be enrolled automatically if your supplier participates. For other qualifying benefits, you may need to contact your supplier to apply.
Does my supplier have to participate?
Not all energy suppliers are required to offer the Warm Home Discount. Large suppliers (with 150,000+ customers) must participate. If your supplier doesn't, you won't be able to access this discount through them.
Is it available in Northern Ireland?
No — the Warm Home Discount covers England, Scotland and Wales only. Northern Ireland has separate energy support schemes.
Can I claim it if I'm a private tenant?
Yes — the Warm Home Discount applies to anyone who receives a qualifying benefit and pays an electricity bill directly to an eligible supplier, whether you're an owner-occupier, private tenant or social housing tenant.
You may qualify for much more
If you qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you may also be eligible for ECO4 — which can fund up to £25,000 of free home improvements. Check all your grants in one go.
Check all my grants