⚡ Key Takeaways
- £150 discount on your electricity bill each winter
- Core Group: Automatically applied if you receive Pension Guarantee Credit
- Core Group 2: Means-tested benefits + high energy costs (DWP data matched)
- Applied between October and March each year
- You don't need to apply — most eligible households receive it automatically
- Available in England and Wales only (Scotland has separate schemes)
Key facts: £150 one-off discount on your electricity bill. Automatic for Pension Credit recipients (Core Group 1) and benefits recipients with high energy costs (Core Group 2). Applied between October and March each winter.
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 energy grants, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Housing Benefit energy grants, 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: