Eligible state pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit are being sent letters for an automatic £150 off energy bills from today, October 22. The one-off discount comes from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s (DESNZ) Warm Home Discount Scheme, which reopens this month.
The scheme provides a £150 discount off your electricity bill, with the money applied to your bill by your electricity supplier, rather than as a direct payment into your bank account. Around six million households across Britain are set to benefit from the discount this winter, with eligible homes set to receive it automatically.
Letters arriving this week
The DESNZ has confirmed that letters confirming the £150 off bills will begin to arrive this week and will continue to be issued through to January 2027, so eligible homes are being urged to check doormats and letterboxes from today.
The letters will confirm whether households will receive the discount automatically or, if they need to phone the helpline, they must do so before February 26, 2027, to provide further information.
Who qualifies for the discount
In England and Wales, state pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit will be eligible for the £150 discount, as well as households on three other qualifying means-tested benefits. These include Universal Credit, Housing Benefit and income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
If eligible, your letter will confirm that you don’t need to do anything to receive the money off and your electricity supplier will apply the £150 discount to your bill by March 31, 2027.
Minister urges pensioners to check letters
Minister for Energy Consumers Polly Billington said: “I know that many families will be struggling with their energy bills this winter. That is why I urge those who think they qualify for the Warm Home Discount to keep an eye out for a letter confirming their eligibility.
“Energy is an absolute essential, which is exactly why in October we cut VAT on all electricity bills and earlier this year we removed £150 of costs off bills, giving families breathing space this winter.”
The discount is also available to households in Scotland but the qualifying criteria is slightly different. If you live in Scotland, you may be eligible if all of the following applied on August 23, 2026: your energy supplier is part of the scheme, you (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits, and your name (or your partner’s) is on the electricity bill.
The eligibility criteria for this winter confirms that state pensioners in Scotland will get the discount automatically if they or their partner get Pension Credit, as is the case in England and Wales.
Suppliers and scam warnings
The following electricity suppliers are all part of the scheme for winter 2026 to 2027: 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK), Boost, British Gas, E – also known as 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.
The DESNZ said recipients of the scheme should only use their usual method of contacting their energy supplier and not follow any suspicious links or input their financial information if requested over email, text or phone call.
The government also confirmed earlier this year that millions of eligible households will receive the Warm Home Discount for the rest of the decade, with the scheme set to continue through to 2030/31.
Stew Horne, Group Head of Sector Intelligence and External Affairs at Energy Saving Trust, added: “As the weather turns colder and households start using more energy, many people will be worried about how they’ll afford their energy bills. The Warm Home Discount provides valuable support to eligible households, helping to ease the cost of keeping homes warm.
“We encourage people to read their letters from the UK government carefully and check whether they need to take any action. Understanding the support available and responding promptly if required can help ensure you receive the help you’re entitled to this winter.”
