Millions of UK households will receive a £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, but they must act before August 23 or risk missing out. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the four benefits that qualify for the rebate.
Around six million households are set to receive the payment. The government has urged eligible households to ensure the billpayer's name is listed on their energy bill to receive the discount automatically.
Eligible Benefits and Suppliers
In Wales, households claiming Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, and Universal Credit will qualify – the same group as last winter. Every household where the billpayer receives means-tested benefits is eligible for the rebate.
Energy customers have been told that 24 suppliers have signed up to the scheme for winter 2026 to 2027. The participating suppliers 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.
Action Required Before August 23
The government is calling on eligible households to ensure they are named on their electricity bill, with suppliers preparing to verify customers' records from Sunday, August 23. People who have recently moved may discover they are not registered on their electricity bill. Eligible customers using pre-payment meters with a key or card for topping up will also need to confirm their household account is registered in their name.
This follows swift action by the Prime Minister to abolish VAT on domestic electricity bills from October 1, one of his first decisions after taking office, reducing the annual Ofgem price cap by £45.
Scheme Extended to 2030/1
Earlier this year, the UK Government announced that millions of eligible households will continue to benefit from the Warm Home Discount for the rest of the decade, with the scheme extended through to 2030/1.
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 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."
