What is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that provides a one-off £150 rebate on your electricity bill each year. It is not a cash payment — it is applied directly to your electricity account by your energy supplier. The scheme runs annually from October to March. For 2025/26 (the current scheme year): Core Group customers are identified automatically by DWP and contacted by letter in October-January; Broader Group customers must apply directly to their energy supplier. Participating suppliers include all major energy companies. The scheme is mandatory for suppliers with 150,000+ customers.

Who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount Core Group?

Core Group automatic qualification: you receive the Pension Credit Guarantee Credit element (or you are of State Pension age and on a low income identified by DWP cross-referencing data). DWP identifies Core Group customers automatically and writes to them between October and January with a code. You take the code to your energy supplier who applies the £150 credit. You do NOT need to apply or call your supplier — if you are in the Core Group you will receive a letter automatically. If you think you should be in the Core Group but have not received a letter by January, call the Warm Home Discount helpline: 0800 107 8002.

Who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount Broader Group?

The Broader Group covers low-income households that are not in the Core Group. Qualifying benefits include: Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA); Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA); Income Support; Universal Credit (with limited capability for work element); Housing Benefit; Pension Credit Savings Credit; Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit (if household income under £16,190). You must also be responsible for paying your energy bill (not in rented accommodation where bills are included in rent). Apply directly to your energy supplier — each supplier sets their own Broader Group criteria and application deadline. Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

How do I apply for the Warm Home Discount?

Core Group (Pension Credit Guarantee): DWP writes to you automatically October-January with a reference code — take this code to your energy supplier's website or customer service line. Broader Group: Contact your energy supplier directly. Search '[your supplier name] Warm Home Discount application'. You will need: your benefit reference number; proof of qualifying benefit; your energy account number. Apply as early as possible — places are limited. If your supplier is full, try switching to a supplier that still has places (you will not lose eligibility if you switch). The £150 credit is applied to your electricity account — it reduces your bill or is credited against your balance.

Warm Home Discount UK 2026: £150 Off Energy Bill

Warm Home Discount UK 2026: Who Qualifies & How to Get £150 Off Your Bill

Chandraketu Tripathi

Finance Editor, Kaeltripton

Published 4 Apr 2026

Last reviewed 9 May 2026

✓ Fact-checked

Part of: Best Energy Suppliers UK 2026

The Warm Home Discount gives qualifying households £150 off their energy bill automatically. Millions of people who qualify never claim it. Here is exactly who qualifies and what to do. Scheme Active — Apply Now If Broader Group

Who Qualifies — Core Group vs Broader Group

Group	Who	Action Required	Payment
Core Group	Pension Credit Guarantee Credit recipients; DWP-identified low-income pensioners	None — DWP writes to you with a code	£150 automatic credit — October to March
Broader Group	Income-related ESA; Income-based JSA; Income Support; UC (limited capability for work); Housing Benefit; Child/Working Tax Credit (income under £16,190)	Apply directly to your energy supplier	£150 credit if accepted — first-come, first-served

Which Energy Suppliers Participate in 2026?

The Warm Home Discount is mandatory for all energy suppliers serving 150,000+ domestic customers. All major suppliers participate including: British Gas, EDF, E.ON Next, Octopus Energy, Ovo Energy, Scottish Power, Shell Energy, Bulb (now Octopus), Utilita, E (Gas and Electricity). Smaller suppliers may participate voluntarily — check your supplier's website. If you switch energy supplier, your eligibility follows you — but your new supplier must participate in the scheme. You can only receive the discount from one supplier in any scheme year.

How the £150 is Applied

The Warm Home Discount is applied as a credit to your electricity account — not your gas account. It reduces your electricity bill directly. If you are in credit, it reduces what you owe. If you are in debit, it reduces your balance. If you have a prepayment meter, you receive a top-up equivalent to £150 of electricity credit. The credit appears on your statement as 'Warm Home Discount' or similar. It is paid between October and March in the relevant scheme year — the exact timing depends on your supplier. The £150 is not taxable income and does not affect any means-tested benefits.

Other Energy Support to Claim in 2026

Scheme	Amount	Who	How to Get
Warm Home Discount	£150 electricity credit	Pension Credit; low-income benefit recipients	Core: automatic. Broader: apply to supplier
Winter Fuel Payment	£200-£300	State pension age; limited to those on Pension Credit from 2024	Automatic if eligible; check DWP if not received
Cold Weather Payment	£25/week	Income Support, ESA, UC, Pension Credit	Automatic when temperature below 0°C for 7 days
Household Support Fund	Varies by local area	Low-income households	Apply via your local council
Discretionary support from suppliers	Varies	Anyone in debt or difficulty	Call your supplier — all must have hardship funds

KAELTRIPTON VERDICT

The Warm Home Discount gives £150 off your electricity bill. Core Group (Pension Credit): DWP writes to you automatically — just take your code to your supplier. Broader Group (income-related ESA, JSA, UC, Housing Benefit): apply directly to your energy supplier NOW — places are limited and fill up fast. The credit is applied to your electricity account, not gas. It is not taxable and does not affect benefits.

£150 Electricity Credit — Core Group Automatic — Broader Group Apply Now

Q: Who qualifies for Warm Home Discount 2026?

A: Core Group: Pension Credit Guarantee Credit recipients — automatic. Broader Group: income-related ESA, JSA, Income Support, UC with limited capability for work, Housing Benefit, Child/Working Tax Credit (income under £16,190).

Q: How do I apply for Warm Home Discount?

A: Core Group: DWP writes to you with a code — take to your supplier. Broader Group: apply directly to your energy supplier, early in the scheme (October). Places limited — first-come first-served.

Q: How much is the Warm Home Discount?

A: £150 credit applied to your electricity account. Not a cash payment. Not taxable. Does not affect benefits. Applied October-March each scheme year.

Q: Which suppliers offer Warm Home Discount?

A: All major suppliers: British Gas, EDF, E.ON Next, Octopus, OVO, Scottish Power and more. Mandatory for suppliers with 150,000+ customers.

Data verified April 2026. Rates and prices change frequently — always verify directly with providers and DVLA before acting. This article is for informational purposes only.

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