The government has urged households to check if they are eligible for an automatic £150 discount on their energy bills, as an annual scheme is expanded. The Warm Home Discount provides a one-off payment applied between October and March, and around six million people will now receive it this winter – up 2.7 million from last year.
The Department for Energy and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced new rules that mean bill payers only need to receive an eligible means-tested benefit, rather than also proving they live in a home with high energy costs. However, the person receiving the benefit must be named on the energy bill to qualify.
Energy suppliers will use customer records as of 24 August to check eligibility, leaving just a few weeks to ensure the correct name is on the bill. Factors such as moving house or changing supplier can affect this. After that date, eligible customers can still claim but must wait for a letter, which may arrive as late as January 2026.
Minister for energy consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “We took decisive action earlier this year to expand the Warm Home Discount, giving more working families certainty and peace of mind before winter. I now want to make sure as many eligible households as possible get £150 off their energy bill.” She urged people to spread the word to family and friends.
The expansion comes after energy regulator Ofgem warned that bills are set to rise by £104 by 2031 to cover £24 billion in extra investment in Britain’s energy infrastructure, despite a recent cut to the price cap.
