Key facts
- What: The Warm Home Discount is a 150 pound electricity bill rebate for eligible households during the winter scheme window.
- Who qualifies: Eligibility differs by nation. England and Wales usually use automatic matching; Scotland may require some supplier applications.
- Value: The discount is applied to electricity accounts or prepayment meter credit, not usually paid as cash.
- Deadline: Scheme windows normally open in autumn and close during winter; supplier rules can vary.
- Next step: Check GOV.UK and your supplier when the window opens, especially if you live in Scotland.
⚡ Key Takeaways
- £150 discount on your electricity bill each winter
- Core Group: Automatically applied if you receive Pension Guarantee Credit
- Broader Group (2025/26): Most means-tested benefits now qualify — the "high cost to heat" rule was removed in England & Wales
- ~2.7M more homes newly eligible this winter (≈6M total)
- Applied between October and March each year
- You don't need to apply in England & Wales — most eligible households receive it automatically (Scotland may need to apply)
New for winter 2025/26 — around 2.7 million more homes now qualify. The government removed the "high cost to heat" threshold in England and Wales, so the £150 Warm Home Discount now reaches most households on a qualifying means-tested benefit — not just those whose homes were judged expensive to heat. This takes the total to roughly 6 million households. If you were turned down in a previous year on the "high cost to heat" rule, you may now be eligible. Always confirm the current year's rules and amount on GOV.UK.
Will I get it automatically, or do I need to apply?
| Your situation | Automatic or apply? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), England & Wales | Automatic | Nothing — you'll get a letter; discount applied over winter |
| Means-tested benefit, England & Wales (2025/26 rules) | Usually automatic | Watch for a confirmation letter; respond if asked to confirm details by the stated deadline |
| Low income, Scotland | May need to apply | Apply directly to your energy supplier when the window opens (often Aug–Sep); places are limited |
| Not sure / smaller supplier | Check | Confirm your supplier takes part and check GOV.UK for the current window |
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 / Broader Group — Automatic (Means-tested benefits)
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) you may be automatically included through a government data-matching exercise.
Important update: for winter 2025/26 the "high cost to heat" condition that previously applied to this group in England and Wales was removed, so most households on a qualifying means-tested benefit now qualify regardless of their property's energy-cost score. You'll receive a letter confirming the discount if you qualify. (Rules can change each year — check the current year on GOV.UK.)
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: