With gas and electricity bills staying high this winter, it’s worth finding out whether you qualify for the Warm Home Discount where you get a £150 discount on your winter energy bills that is available in England, Scotland and Wales. New rules expanding the criteria mean more people are now eligible, so it’s worth checking if you can get the help you need.   

What is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount is a government-backed scheme that offers a reduction of £150 off your electricity bill for the winter period between October 2025 and March 2026.

The money isn’t paid directly to you. Instead, a discount is applied to your electricity bill. You could get also money off your gas bill if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity (known as a dual fuel tariff).

New criteria mean more people now qualify

From Winter 2025/26 more people will be able to get the £150 discount as the criteria has been expanded. Now every billpayer who gets certain benefits will qualify. Previously, you would need to get certain benefits AND earn under a certain amount.

The deadline to have your name on the bill and qualify is 24 August

To be eligible your name MUST be on your bill by 24 August.If you have recently moved or changed supplier you might not be named on your bill. If you’re not sure or need to make a change, contact your energy supplier as soon as possible. 

If somebody else manages your benefits their name must be on the bill

You can also get the Warm Home Discount if someone who is in charge of your benefits or makes decisions for you has their name on the bill.

Which benefits do I need to get to be eligible?

To get the discount your name must be on your bill by 24 August 2025 AND get:  

• Pension Credit (savings OR guarantee element) – Core Group 1

or

• Universal Credit – Core group 2

Don’t get these benefits but claim other means-tested benefits?

You could still be eligible if you claim one of the benefits that was replaced by Universal Credit, this would only apply to a small number of people. If you’re not sure –  from October 2025, you’ll be able to check using the government's Warm Home Discount online tool.

I am eligible but only my partner’s name is on our bill

Your name must be on the bill by 24 August to get the discount. Contact your supplier to add your name to your energy bill.

I think I am eligible for Pension Credit but haven’t applied

You must apply and have a successful claim covering 24 August. Pension Credit can be backdated by a maximum of three months. This means if you apply for Pension Credit before 23 November and are successful, you should be able to get the Warm  Home Discount from your supplier.  

But Pension Credit is not automatically backdated. This means you have to request backdating on your claim form. For information about Pension Credit – including how to claim and if you’re eligible see our Pension Credit guide.  

After you apply you will get a letter from the DWP with a decision. If you are successful you should call the Warm Home Discount helpline on: 0800 030 9322 telling them you think you are newly eligible.

I have applied for Pension Credit but not yet had a decision

If you have applied for Pension Credit and your claim is still being processed and you have a successful claim covering 24 August, you should be able to get the Warm Home Discount from your supplier.  

If you haven’t requested your claim to be backdated, you should call the Pension Credit claim line on: 0800 99 1234 as soon as possible and request that your claim includes backdating. 

I am eligible for Universal Credit but haven’t applied

You must apply and have a successful claim covering 24 August. Universal Credit can only be backdated by one month. This means if you apply before 23 September and are successful, you should be able to get the Warm Home Discount from your supplier this year.  

But Universal Credit is not automatically backdated. This means you have to request backdating. For information about Universal Credit – including how to claim and if you’re eligible see our Universal Credit explained guide.  

I have applied for Universal Credit but not yet had a decision

If you have applied for Universal Credit and your claim is still being processed and you have a successful claim by 24  August (or backdated to on or before this date), you should be able to get the Warm Home Discount from your supplier. 

Is the Warm Home discount available throughout the UK?

No. It is not available in Northern Ireland. If you’re a homeowner or a private renter in Northern Ireland and have a household income of less than £23,000, find out more about the affordable warmth scheme in Northern Ireland.

If you are eligible you should receive a letter

If you are eligible you should get a letter between October and December 2025. The letter will confirm if you are eligible for an automatic rebate or advise you to call a helpline to check if you are eligible. 

What happens if I don’t get a letter?

If you don’t automatically qualify for Warm Home Discount, it might be because the government doesn’t have enough information. You might be asked for documents to prove your eligibility: like an energy bill with your name on it or proof that you receive benefits.

The Warm Home Discount helpline opens in October

The helpline opens on 27 October for customers in England and Wales, the telephone number is 0800 030 9322. If you want to appeal a decision you must call the helpline before the end of February 2026.

How do I apply for the Warm Home Discount?

If you’re with an energy supplier that doesn’t offer Warm Home Discount, but you still qualify for it, you can switch to a company that provides it but before you switch check that their tariff is costs the same or ideally less than your current tariff.

The Warm Home Discount is available to you if you live in a park home, however you will need to apply for it. More details about the discount is available on GOV.UK.

I live in Scotland, how do I apply?

The payment is only automatic in Scotland if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, Core group1. If you get Universal Credit (Core group 2) and are eligible for it on 25 August 2025 (the qualifying date for the payment), you will have to apply to your energy supplier to claim it. Applications will open in October.

Which energy companies offer the Warm Home Discount?

Most energy suppliers do offer this discount. However, not all suppliers take part in the Warm Home Discount scheme. 

If you qualify for the discount and your current supplier doesn’t offer it, you might want to switch supplier to one who does. 

What if I have a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meter?

If you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meter, you can still qualify for the discount. Make sure you let your electricity supplier know and providing you are eligible, they will automatically apply the discount.

Will the Warm Home Discount affect a cold weather payment or my winter fuel payment?

No, payment of a Warm Home Discount does not affect your entitlement to a Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payment.