Warm Home Discount 2025/2026: £150 off your energy bill

The Warm Home Discount is one of the simplest energy support schemes in the UK. If you're eligible, you'll receive a one-off £150 discount applied directly to your electricity bill. You don't get cash — the discount appears as a credit on your energy account.

For some households, this happens automatically. For others, you need to apply through your energy supplier.

The two eligibility groups

Core Group 1 — Automatic (Pension Credit)

If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, the discount is applied automatically. The DWP matches your data with energy suppliers — you don't need to do anything.

Core Group 2 — Automatic (Benefits + High Energy Costs)

If you receive certain means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit) and have high energy costs relative to your income, you may be automatically included through a government data matching exercise.

You'll receive a letter confirming the discount if you qualify.

Broader Group (Scotland)

In Scotland, a Broader Group is available as a direct £150 rebate for low-income households at risk of fuel poverty. You must apply directly to your energy supplier — applications typically open around August/September. Places are limited.

When is the discount applied?

• Core Group 1: Usually November–January
• Core Group 2: Usually December–March
• Broader Group (Scotland): December–March (varies by supplier)

If you have a prepayment meter, you may receive a voucher or notification to collect your credit.

Which suppliers participate?

Participation is mandatory for suppliers with 150,000+ domestic electricity customers:

• British Gas
• EDF
• E.ON / E.ON Next
• OVO Energy (including SSE customers)
• Scottish Power
• Octopus Energy
• Utilita

Other energy support

The Warm Home Discount can be received alongside other schemes:

• ECO4 — free insulation and heating upgrades
• GBIS — free insulation (ending December 2026)
• Winter Fuel Payment — £100–£300 for pensioners
• Cold Weather Payment — £25 per cold spell
• Priority Services Register — free support if vulnerable