The Warm Home Discount is worth £150 off your electricity bill each winter. Millions of households qualify but many do not know about it or assume they are not eligible. Here is how it works and how to make sure you get it if you qualify.
For the wider picture on energy-bill support, including Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payment and hardship help, see our Energy Grants, Discounts and Help with Bills hub.
What Is the Warm Home Discount?
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Amount | £150 one-off discount |
| Applied to | Your electricity bill (not gas) |
| When | October to March each year |
| How it is paid | Credit applied directly to your account, or voucher for prepayment meters |
| Who runs it | Government scheme, administered by energy suppliers |
| Means-tested | Yes — based on income, benefits, and energy costs |
The discount is applied to your electricity account only, even if you also have gas from the same supplier. You do not receive cash — it reduces what you owe.
Who Is Eligible?
The scheme has two eligibility groups.
Core Group
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | People who receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit |
| How you get it | Automatically — no need to apply |
| When | DWP sends your details to your supplier |
If you receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), you should get the Warm Home Discount automatically. You do not need to do anything.
Not sure if you qualify for Pension Credit? Many pensioners miss out. Check with our Pension Credit Guide.
Broader Group
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Low-income households on certain benefits with high energy costs |
| How it works | Government uses data matching to identify eligible households |
| How you get it | Most receive it automatically |
To qualify for the Broader Group, you (or your partner) must receive one of these benefits and have high energy costs relative to your income:
| Qualifying benefit |
|---|
| Universal Credit |
| Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance |
| Income-related Employment and Support Allowance |
| Income Support |
| Housing Benefit |
| Pension Credit (Savings Credit) |
| Child Tax Credit |
| Working Tax Credit |
High energy costs are assessed using your property characteristics (size, insulation, heating type) rather than your actual bills. The government uses data from the Valuation Office Agency and other sources to determine this.
Who Does Not Qualify?
| Situation | Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Receiving benefits but energy costs not deemed high | Not usually |
| On a good income with no qualifying benefits | No |
| Living in a property with very good energy efficiency | Less likely (lower deemed energy costs) |
| Off-grid (no mains gas or electricity) | No — you need a domestic electricity account |
How the Automatic System Works
Since the scheme was reformed in 2022 (England and Wales), most of the process is automatic.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | DWP and HMRC identify households on qualifying benefits |
| 2 | Data is matched with energy supplier records |
| 3 | Government determines if your energy costs are high enough |
| 4 | Your supplier is notified to apply the discount |
| 5 | £150 credit appears on your electricity account |
You may receive a letter telling you that you will get the discount. If you believe you are eligible but have not heard anything, contact your energy supplier.
Scotland
The scheme works differently in Scotland.
| Detail | Scotland |
|---|---|
| Core Group | Same as England/Wales — automatic for Pension Credit recipients |
| Broader Group | Administered through Warmer Homes Scotland and Home Energy Scotland |
| Application | You may need to apply — contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 |
| Amount | £150 |
Home Energy Scotland also offers free advice on energy efficiency and may be able to help with other grants and schemes.
Prepayment Meters
| Meter type | How you receive the discount |
|---|---|
| Credit meter (direct debit) | £150 credit applied to your electricity account |
| Smart prepayment meter | £150 credit applied directly to your meter |
| Traditional prepayment meter | Voucher sent by post or email to top up your meter |
If you have a traditional prepayment meter and are eligible, look out for a voucher from your supplier. You can redeem it at your usual top-up point (PayPoint, Post Office, or Payzone depending on your meter).
How to Check If You Have Received It
| Method | How to check |
|---|---|
| Online account | Log into your energy supplier’s account and check recent credits |
| Paper bill | Look for a £150 credit labelled “Warm Home Discount” |
| Phone | Call your supplier and ask if the discount has been applied |
| Smart meter | Check your balance — the credit will show as a top-up |
The discount is usually applied between November and February. If it has not appeared by March, contact your supplier.
What If You Think You Are Eligible but Have Not Received It?
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Check you meet the eligibility criteria above |
| 2 | Contact your energy supplier and ask about the Warm Home Discount |
| 3 | Ask if your details have been matched by the DWP |
| 4 | If your supplier says you are not eligible, ask for an explanation |
| 5 | Contact the Warm Home Discount helpline: 0800 731 0214 |
Common reasons for not receiving the discount despite being on qualifying benefits:
| Reason | Solution |
|---|---|
| Name mismatch between benefit records and energy account | Ensure the account holder’s name matches their benefit records |
| Energy account in someone else’s name | The account holder must be the benefit recipient (or their partner) |
| Supplier not part of the scheme | Some very small suppliers are exempt — switch to a participating supplier |
| Data matching issue | Contact DWP or your supplier to resolve |
Other Help with Energy Bills
The Warm Home Discount is just one form of support. You may also qualify for:
| Scheme | What it offers | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Fuel Payment | £100–£300 (now limited to Pension Credit recipients) | Pensioners on Pension Credit |
| Cold Weather Payment | £25 for each 7-day cold spell | People on certain benefits |
| Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) | Free insulation, boiler, or heating upgrades | Low-income and vulnerable households |
| Household Support Fund | One-off payments for essential costs | Apply through your local council |
| Supplier hardship funds | Debt write-off or payment support | Contact your supplier if struggling |
| Priority Services Register | Free support for vulnerable customers | Pensioners, disabled, chronically ill |
Related guides:
- Maternity Pay, Paternity Pay and Family Benefits UK 2026/27
- Energy Bill Help Guide
- Energy Grants and Schemes
- Understanding Your Energy Bill
- Prepayment Meters Explained
- Winter Fuel Payment Guide
Summary
| Key point | Details |
|---|---|
| Amount | £150 off your electricity bill |
| When | October – March each year |
| Who qualifies | Pension Credit recipients (Core Group) and low-income benefit claimants with high energy costs (Broader Group) |
| How to get it | Mostly automatic — but check with your supplier if you think you should have received it |
| Prepayment meters | Voucher or direct credit to your meter |
| Scotland | May need to apply through Home Energy Scotland |