What is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off discount on your electricity bill, which is intended to help people on certain means-tested benefits with the cost of energy bills during the winter. Eligible households will get £150 off their bill.

If you’re eligible and if your energy supplier participates in the Warm Home Discount scheme, you’ll usually receive the discount off your energy account automatically.

How you get the Warm Home Discount will likely depend on how you pay for your electricity. However much you pay, the £150 will typically be discounted from your bill. 

You will receive a letter between October 2026 and early January 2027 to let you know if:

• You’re eligible for the scheme
• Need to provide extra information to check eligibility

In Scotland if you don’t get the discount automatically you won’t get a letter, you may need to apply directly to your energy supplier. Your electricity supplier may have extra eligibility criteria. They’ll also tell you which benefits mean you are eligible. Contact your electricity supplier to check if you’re eligible and how to apply. You should contact them as early as possible as the number of discounts suppliers can give are limited. 

The discount will not affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment. If you are eligible, you will receive the discount in addition to the Cold Weather Payment and Winter Fuel Payment.

In England, Wales and Scotland you may be eligible to receive the discount if you receive certain means-tested benefits 

You may be eligible to receive the discount off your gas bill instead if your energy company supplies you with both gas and electricity. You will need to contact your energy company directly to find out if you’re eligible.

Check if you’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales online.

Check whether you’re eligible for the Winter Heating Payment in Scotland.

In Northern Ireland, there is a scheme called the Affordable Warmth scheme. Find out about the Affordable Warmth scheme.

You can still be eligible for the discount if you’re on a pre-payment electricity meter.

Contact your energy supplier to find out how they will provide you with the discount, for example, you may be provided with a voucher you can use to top up your meter.

You’ll usually automatically receive the Warm Home Discount if you are eligible. You will receive a letter through the post with information about the discount. You may need to apply directly to your energy supplier if you live in Scotland. 

Then if eligibility is confirmed, your electricity supplier will automatically apply the deduction to your energy account by 31st March 2027.

You will only receive the discount if your energy supplier participates in the Warm Home Discount scheme. Find out which energy suppliers participate in the scheme.