What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that knocks £150 off the electricity bill of eligible households over the colder months. It’s not a loan, and you never pay it back. If you qualify, your supplier simply adds the £150 as a credit to your account, usually between October and March.
It runs across England, Scotland and Wales, and the £150 is the same wherever you live. The money lands on your electricity account rather than turning up as a cheque, so for most of us it quietly trims the bill in the months when energy use is highest.
The scheme is closed over the summer and reopens in October 2026, so it helps to know in advance whether you’re likely to get it. You can read the official rules on the gov.uk Warm Home Discount page.
The Warm Home Discount at a glance
Checked July 2026.
| What | The detail |
|---|---|
| How much | £150, once a winter, never repaid |
| When it’s paid | Between October 2026 and the end of March 2027 |
| Who gets it | Around 6 million households on qualifying benefits |
| How it arrives | Credit on your electricity account, or a voucher or top up on prepayment meters |
| Do you apply? | Usually automatic in England and Wales; some Scottish suppliers still take applications |
| How long it’s running | Extended in March 2026 for five more years, to 2031 |
Who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount in 2026?
You usually qualify for the Warm Home Discount if you get the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, or if you’re on a low income and claim certain other benefits. That second group is where most households sit.
The benefits that commonly count include Universal Credit, income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, the Savings Credit part of Pension Credit, and Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit. The exact list, and the way it’s applied, can vary a little between England and Wales and Scotland.
There was a big change recently. The government widened the scheme so that, in England and Wales, the old rule about living in a home that’s expensive to heat has gone. That single change brought roughly 2.7 million more households into the scheme, taking the total to around 6 million homes getting the £150.
England, Wales and Scotland: a key difference
In England and Wales, most eligible households are now found automatically from benefit records and get the discount without lifting a finger. Scotland works a little differently, and some suppliers there still ask you to apply each year, so it’s worth checking directly with yours.
How much is the Warm Home Discount and when is it paid?
The Warm Home Discount is worth £150 for the winter, paid as a single credit to your electricity account. Suppliers add it between early October and the end of March, and most try to get it on before the coldest stretch arrives.
If you have a prepayment meter, you usually get the same £150, but it tends to arrive as a voucher or a top up for your meter rather than as credit on a bill. Your supplier will tell you exactly how yours turns up.
It’s a yearly scheme, so qualifying one winter doesn’t guarantee it the next. Your eligibility is checked again each year, which is why it pays to keep your account details up to date. The good news on longevity: the scheme was extended in March 2026 to run until 2031, so it’s not going anywhere soon.
How to make sure you get the Warm Home Discount
For a lot of people the discount is automatic, but a few quick checks make sure you’re not missed.
Quick checklist
- Make sure the name and address on your energy account match the details on your benefits, so the records line up.
- Watch for a letter in the autumn if you’re in the automatic group, as the government writes to confirm your discount.
- If you live in Scotland, or you’re not sure you qualify, apply early once the scheme reopens, because funds are limited and can run out.
- Check your supplier takes part before you switch, as not every supplier offers the scheme.
Most of the larger suppliers take part, but some smaller ones don’t, so if getting the discount matters to you it’s worth confirming before you move.
Other help with your energy bills
The Warm Home Discount is one of several schemes that can ease the cost of keeping warm. If you’re a pensioner, it’s worth reading our guide to the Winter Fuel Allowance, and in very cold spells you may also be due a Cold Weather Payment. For everyday savings, our tips on how to cut your home energy bills cover the quick wins.
The discount helps, but it doesn’t change the underlying price you pay for energy. If you’ve been sitting on a standard variable tariff for a while, you could still be paying more than you need to, depending on your usage, and a quick comparison is the fastest way to see whether a better deal is out there. It takes only a few minutes to compare energy deals and find out.
Frequently asked questions about the Warm Home Discount
- Do I need to apply for the Warm Home Discount?
- In England and Wales it’s usually automatic if your benefit records match your energy account, so most people don’t apply. In Scotland some suppliers ask you to apply each year, so check with yours once the scheme reopens.
- Does the Warm Home Discount affect my other benefits?
- No. The £150 is a credit on your electricity bill and doesn’t count as income, so it doesn’t reduce any other benefits you receive.
- Can I get it if I use a prepayment meter?
- Yes. Households on prepayment meters usually get the same £150, normally as a voucher or a top up for your meter. Your supplier will explain how it’s paid.
- When will the 2026 Warm Home Discount be paid?
- The scheme reopens in October 2026 and suppliers apply the discount across the winter, generally between October and the end of March.
