Warm Home Discount £150: What It Is and Who Gets It

Millions of eligible customers across Great Britain will continue to receive the £150 Warm Home Discount payment each winter after the Government confirmed the scheme will remain in place until 2030.

The Warm Home Discount scheme is designed to help households struggling with the cost of energy during the cold winter months. The payment is applied directly to electricity bills and works alongside other forms of support, such as the energy price cap and winter fuel payments.

Understanding how the scheme works, who qualifies, and what to do if you do not receive the payment can help households access the support available.

What is the Warm Home Discount scheme?

The Warm Home Discount is a £150 rebate applied once per winter to an eligible household’s electricity account.

How the Warm Home Discount payment works

• The £150 is credited to your electricity meter or electricity account
• It usually appears between late October and early January
• The discount is not paid as cash

The scheme is funded through participating energy companies and regulated by Ofgem.

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Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount?

Eligibility is based on income and household circumstances, not how much energy you use.

The two main eligibility groups

Most households in the Core Group receive the payment automatically.

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Which benefits qualify for the Warm Home Discount?

Households in the Broader Group may qualify if they receive benefits such as:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit Savings Credit (in some cases)
• Certain disability benefits, depending on household costs

Eligibility may also depend on energy costs and household size.

How many households receive the Warm Home Discount?

Around six million households are now eligible each year.

Why the scheme was expanded

The expansion brought millions more households into the scheme, including:

• Working households on low incomes
• Families affected by sustained high gas bills
• Households facing rising electricity costs during a prolonged period of cold weather

Will the Warm Home Discount continue until 2030?

Yes. The Government has confirmed that the £150 payment will continue every winter until 2030.

The announcement was made by Ed Miliband, who said extending the scheme provides stability for households facing high energy bills.

Is the Warm Home Discount paid automatically?

For most eligible customers, yes.

Automatic payments

• Most Core Group households are paid automatically
• Many Broader Group households are also paid automatically
• Payments are usually confirmed by letter or text message

When you may need to apply

Some households may still need to:

• Confirm eligibility details
• Respond to a request from their electricity supplier

If eligible, the payment is applied automatically once checks are complete.

How do I apply for the Warm Home Discount scheme in the UK?

Most households do not need to apply, but some may be asked to confirm details.

How applications work

• Applications are handled centrally, not by individual suppliers
• Eligible households are contacted directly if action is required
• Applications usually open in late October

Households should respond promptly to avoid missing the qualifying date.

What documents or information do I need to apply?

If you are asked to apply, you may need:

• Your electricity supplier name
• Your electricity account number
• Proof of qualifying benefits
• Confirmation of household details

You may also be asked to confirm your electricity key number if you use a prepayment meter.

Does the Warm Home Discount affect other benefits?

No. Receiving the Warm Home Discount does not affect:

• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit
• Disability benefits
• Cold Weather Payment
• Winter Fuel Payment or winter heating payment

The £150 rebate is separate from other support and does not reduce benefit entitlement.

What if my electricity supplier is not part of the scheme?

Most large suppliers are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme, but smaller suppliers may not be.

If your supplier does not take part

• You will not receive the payment from that supplier
• You may wish to consider switching to a participating supplier
• Support may still be available through your local council or the Household Support Fund

Independent advice may also be available through Citizens Advice.

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Does the Warm Home Discount apply in Northern Ireland?

No. The Warm Home Discount scheme applies to England, Wales and Scotland only.

Households in Northern Ireland receive support through different energy bill support arrangements.

How the Warm Home Discount fits with the energy price cap

The Warm Home Discount works alongside the energy price cap.

What it does

• Reduces your electricity bill by £150
• Helps during the most expensive winter months

What it does not do

• It does not change unit rates
• It does not reduce standing charges
• It does not affect your gas bill directly

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Why energy bills can still be high after the discount

The discount helps, but it does not remove the main drivers of high bills.

Common reasons bills remain high

• Rising cost of energy
• Higher standing charges
• Increased winter usage
• Heating systems running longer during cold winter months

Can you switch supplier if you get the Warm Home Discount?

Yes. You can still switch your electricity supplier.

What to know before switching

• The discount stays with your electricity account
• Timing matters around payment dates
• Switching does not affect eligibility

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What other help is available for households struggling with bills?

The Warm Home Discount is just one form of support.

Other support options

• Cold Weather Payment during a qualifying period of cold weather
• Winter Fuel Payment for older households
• Household Support Fund via your local council
• Emergency help such as fuel vouchers, gas cards, or help accessing a food bank

Correct as of 02 February 2026

FAQ’s About about the Warm Home Discount