Amount
£150
Guide
Warm Home Discount in 2026
A practical guide to the £150 electricity bill credit, who qualifies, and how to check your payment.
The 2025/26 Warm Home Discount scheme is now closed. The 2026/27 scheme is expected to reopen in October 2026. If you did not receive your payment for winter 2025/26, see the section below on what to do.
What it is
Warm Home Discount basics
The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme providing a one off £150 discount on your electricity bill each winter. The money is not paid to you directly, it is applied to your electricity account as a credit by your supplier. If you are on a prepayment meter, you will receive a voucher to top up at a Post Office or, if you have a smart prepayment meter, the credit is applied directly to your meter.
The discount does not affect your Cold Weather Payment or your Winter Fuel Payment. You can receive all three in the same winter if you qualify for each.
The scheme runs in England, Scotland and Wales. It is not available in Northern Ireland, where separate support may be available through the Affordable Warmth scheme.
Paid as
Credit on your electricity account
Typical timing
During winter scheme months
Eligibility
Who can get it
Eligibility is assessed automatically by the government using Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) data matching. In most cases you do not need to apply. The government writes to eligible households, usually between October and December, and your supplier applies the credit by 31 March of that winter.
England and Wales
For winter 2026/27, households in England and Wales qualify if the person named on the electricity bill, or their partner or legal representative, is in receipt of one of the following qualifying benefits on the qualifying date set by the Secretary of State:
Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
Savings Credit element of Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Housing Benefit
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
The qualifying date for each scheme year is set by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero. For 2025/26 this was 24 August 2025. The qualifying date for 2026/27 will be confirmed by government in autumn 2026.
Source: GOV.UK and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Scotland
Scotland has separate eligibility criteria set by Scottish Government ministers. The Core Group in Scotland is aligned to the qualifying benefits for the Scottish Winter Heating Payment as of December 2025. Some low income households may also qualify through the Broader Group, which is application based via individual energy suppliers. Contact your electricity supplier to apply if you are in Scotland and believe you may qualify.
Important conditions
Named on the bill
You must be named on the electricity account, or be the partner or legal representative of the named account holder. If you have recently moved or changed supplier, ensure your name is on the new account.
Participating supplier
Your electricity supplier must participate in the scheme. Suppliers with more than 1,000 domestic customers are required to take part. Check with your supplier if you are unsure.
Automatic matching
Around 96% of eligible households receive the rebate automatically through government data matching. If you believe you qualify but have not received a letter by mid-winter, contact the helpline in the contact section.
How to claim
What to do if you expect payment
1. Check your eligibility route
Confirm whether you are in the automatic Core Group (Pension Credit or other qualifying benefit). In England and Wales you will receive a letter from the government if you are automatically matched. In Scotland, contact your supplier to apply if you are not receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.
2. Watch for official letters
The government writes to eligible households between October and December each year. Your letter will confirm whether you need to call the helpline to confirm your details, or whether the credit will be applied automatically. Do not call your supplier before receiving this letter, the process is managed by the government, not your supplier.
3. Follow up quickly if missing
Your supplier must apply the discount by 31 March of the relevant winter. If you have not received your credit by mid-February and you believe you qualify, contact the Warm Home Discount helpline.
Missed payment
Did not receive your 2025/26 payment?
The 2025/26 scheme closed on 31 March 2026. If you believe you were eligible but did not receive a payment, there are two steps to take.
First, contact the Warm Home Discount helpline to check whether you were matched in the system and whether a late payment can be issued.
Second, if you were not matched automatically and believe this was in error, contact your electricity supplier to raise a formal query. Your supplier cannot override the government's eligibility decision but can help you understand what happened and escalate to the DWP if appropriate.
Warm Home Discount Helpline
For eligibility queries and late payment issues.
Phone: 0800 030 9322
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm
This is a government helpline, not your energy supplier.
Payment method
How the discount reaches your account
Credit meter
The £150 is applied as a credit to your electricity account. It will appear on your next bill statement and reduce your balance or upcoming direct debit.
Prepayment meter (traditional)
You will receive a voucher by post. You can use this at a Post Office or Payzone outlet to add £150 credit to your meter. Vouchers expire, so redeem promptly when received.
Smart prepayment meter
The credit is applied directly to your meter by your supplier. You may receive an email or SMS notification. No voucher is needed.
Common issues
Why payments can be delayed
Delays can happen when account names, addresses, or meter records do not match government and supplier data. Prepayment vouchers can also expire if they are not redeemed in time.
If you think something is wrong, ask your supplier to confirm your eligibility outcome and next steps in writing.
If you changed supplier recently
If you switched electricity supplier close to the qualifying date, your new supplier is responsible for applying the discount. Ensure your name is correctly registered on the new account. The government data match uses the account holder name at the qualifying date.
If your benefit was backdated
If your qualifying benefit was awarded or backdated to on or before the qualifying date for that scheme year, you may still be eligible. Contact the Warm Home Discount helpline with your DWP award letter as evidence.
If you are a joint account holder
The discount is linked to the named electricity account holder. If both partners are named, the payment is made once to the account. Only one payment per household per year is possible.
Related support
Support you can combine
Winter Fuel Payment
A separate annual payment for older households to help with heating costs during winter.
Read the guide →
Cold Weather Payment
Triggered payments of up to £25 per week when temperatures drop below freezing in your area.
Read the guide →
Priority Services Register
Free extra protections from your supplier if you have additional needs or are in a vulnerable situation.
Read the guide →
Cannot Pay Your Bill
What to do if you are struggling to afford your energy bills right now, including payment plan and hardship fund options.
Read the guide →
Winter 2026/27
What to expect for the next scheme year
The 2026/27 Warm Home Discount scheme is expected to open in October 2026. The qualifying date for 2026/27 will be set by the Secretary of State and confirmed by the government in autumn 2026.
Eligibility criteria for 2026/27 are expected to remain broadly the same as for 2025/26, covering households in receipt of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, and other means-tested benefits. The government has confirmed it intends to continue the scheme and has consulted on its continuation beyond the current regulatory framework.
The scheme is reviewed annually and criteria can change. The GOV.UK page at gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme is the authoritative source and is updated by the government each autumn when the new scheme year opens.
FAQ
Warm Home Discount questions
How much is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a £150 credit applied to your electricity account for the winter period if you qualify.
Do I need to apply every year?
Many eligible households are identified automatically, but this can vary by supplier and your circumstances. You should still check each scheme year in case your supplier asks you to confirm details.
Can I get Warm Home Discount if I use a prepayment meter?
Yes. If you qualify, suppliers usually apply the credit as a voucher, top up code, or direct meter credit depending on your meter setup.
Can I get Warm Home Discount and other support at the same time?
Yes. Warm Home Discount can usually be received alongside support like the Priority Services Register, supplier hardship grants, and council support.
Key terms explained
- Core Group: Households identified through benefit and pension data checks that are usually paid automatically.
- Broader Group: Households who may qualify based on low income and high energy costs under supplier and scheme rules.
- Scheme year: The annual Warm Home Discount period, typically announced before winter with updated dates.
Check the other support you may be entitled to
Use the support finder to see which schemes may apply to your household, then read the relevant guides for application steps.
Use the support finderWhile you are reviewing your energy costs, it may also be worth checking whether a cheaper tariff is available at your postcode. Compare at Utility Matchmaker →