Letters confirming a £150 discount on energy bills are now arriving for around six million households in Britain, with the government sending out notifications to those who qualify for the Warm Home Discount this winter.
The letters began arriving on Thursday, October 22, and will continue to be sent until January 2027. Most eligible households will receive the money automatically, but some will need to call a helpline to confirm their details or risk missing out.
How the Discount Works
The scheme provides a one-off £150 reduction on electricity bills to help households struggling with energy costs during the colder months. It is not paid directly into people's bank accounts; instead, the discount is applied to their energy bill.
Around 2.3 million additional families became eligible following an expansion of the scheme, including roughly one million households with children.
Eligibility and Next Steps
In England and Wales, eligibility is based on people's circumstances on August 23, 2026. Households may qualify if they were receiving certain means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
They must also have been with a participating energy supplier, with the benefit claimant or their partner named on the electricity bill. For most eligible customers, there is nothing else to do; their letter will confirm that the discount will be applied automatically by their electricity supplier before March 31, 2027.
Some households may receive a letter asking them to call a helpline because the government needs more information to confirm their eligibility. Those asked to provide further information must contact the Warm Home Discount helpline before February 26, 2027. Anyone who believes they qualify but hasn't received a letter by early January should also get in touch.
