Households in England, Wales and Scotland are being urged to check their energy bill before Sunday to automatically receive a £150 discount. The discount comes from the Warm Home Discount Scheme, which provides low income homes with £150 off their electricity bill.
The discount is applied to bills by energy suppliers taking part in the scheme rather than paid directly into bank accounts, and eligible households receive it automatically. There are different ways to qualify depending on where you live, but people receiving certain means-tested benefits will be eligible.
Deadline set for August 23
According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), around six million households will receive the rebate this winter, but those eligible must be named on their energy bill by Sunday, August 23, to receive it automatically. The deadline is now just days away, and households are being reminded to make the check to ensure they get the discount when the scheme reopens in October.
DESNZ said: “The government is issuing a call to eligible households to check they are named on their electricity bill, with suppliers set to rely on customers’ records as of Sunday 23 August. Someone might not be named on their electricity bill if they have recently moved house.
“Eligible customers on pre-payment meters who use a key or card to top up will also need to ensure that their household’s account is registered in their name.”
Who qualifies for the discount
Qualifying criteria set out by the DESNZ says households in England or Wales on the following means-tested benefits will qualify for the Warm Home Discount:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Pension Credit
The Warm Home Discount is also available to households in Scotland, but the qualifying criteria is slightly different. In this case, the discount will be applied automatically if, in Scottish households, you or your partner:
- get Pension Credit
- get an extra amount of Universal Credit because you or your child has a disability or health condition
- get a disability premium or a pensioner premium of income-related Employment Support Allowance
- get a disability premium or a pensioner premium and have a Support for Mortgage Interest loan
Scheme reopens in October
The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2026 to 2027 will reopen in October, and those who qualify will have the £150 off applied to their bill by their energy supplier. The energy suppliers that will be part of the winter 2026 to 2027 scheme include 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK), Boost, British Gas, E (Gas and Electricity), Ecotricity, EDF, EnergyCoop (see Octopus Energy), E.ON Next, Fuse Energy, Good Energy, Home Energy, London Power, Octopus Energy, Outfox Energy, OVO, Sainsbury’s Energy, Scottish Gas (see British Gas), ScottishPower, So Energy, Square 1 Energy Ltd, TruEnergy, Tulo Energy, Utilita, and Utility Warehouse.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “Families will be worried about their energy bills this winter and our focus is on giving them breathing space, as we continue to work to bring down bills.
“Almost a million more families with children received the £150 Warm Home Discount last winter, after we expanded the scheme. If you know someone who might benefit, please start spreading the word and encourage them to check they are named on their energy bill.”
