UK households have just days left to secure a £150 discount on their winter energy bills through the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Personal finance experts urge eligible households to act now, as the deadline to have your name on the energy bill is August 23, 2026.
Who is eligible?
To qualify in England and Wales, you must receive a qualifying benefit and be named on your electricity account or bill by August 23, 2026. Qualifying benefits include Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, and Universal Credit.
In Scotland, eligibility criteria differ. You may qualify if you or your partner receive Pension Credit, an extra Universal Credit amount due to a disability or health condition, a disability premium or pensioner premium of income-related ESA, or a disability premium and have a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.
How the discount is applied
Eligible households usually receive the discount automatically, but those in Scotland may need to apply directly. The £150 credit will be applied to your electricity bill by March 31, 2027.
Suppliers with over 1,000 customers are required to offer the Warm Home Discount, so most eligible Brits will receive it automatically.
Important deadline
Ensure your name is on the energy bill by August 23, 2026. If you're on a standard credit or smart prepayment meter, the £150 will be added as credit between October 2026 and March 2027. For traditional prepayment meters, a top-up voucher will be sent by post, email, text, or sometimes cheque.
