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The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 rebate on electricity bills for eligible households in Great Britain, applied automatically between October 2026 and 31 March 2027. It is not a cash payment but a credit on the electricity account.
The Warm Home Discount is a £150 rebate on electricity bills for eligible households, applied automatically between October 2026 and 31 March 2027.
KEY FACTS
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LAST REVIEWED 2026-09-06
What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 rebate on electricity bills for eligible households in Great Britain. It is applied automatically between October 2026 and 31 March 2027. The rebate is not a cash payment but a credit on the electricity account.
The scheme is designed to help with energy costs during the winter months. It is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Ofgem. The rebate is applied to the electricity account of the household, not paid directly to the individual.
To qualify, a household must meet certain criteria. The qualifying date is 23 August 2026. This means that the household must be receiving certain benefits or be in a specific group on that date. The exact eligibility rules are set by the government and can change each year.
It is important to note that the Warm Home Discount is not the same as the Winter Fuel Payment or the Cold Weather Payment. Each scheme has its own rules and payment amounts. The Warm Home Discount is specifically for electricity bills, while the Winter Fuel Payment is for heating costs and the Cold Weather Payment is triggered by freezing temperatures.
Households that are eligible for the Warm Home Discount will usually receive a letter from their electricity supplier. The rebate is applied automatically, so there is no need to apply. However, some households may need to apply if they are not in the core group. The application process is usually open from July to February.
How does the Warm Home Discount work?
The Warm Home Discount works as a one-off £150 rebate on electricity bills. It is applied automatically to the electricity account of eligible households between October 2026 and 31 March 2027. The rebate is not a cash payment but a credit on the account.
The scheme is split into two groups: the core group and the broader group. The core group includes households that receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. These households are identified automatically by the DWP. The broader group includes households on certain other benefits, such as Income Support or Universal Credit, but they may need to apply.
The qualifying date for the scheme is 23 August 2026. This means that the household must be receiving the relevant benefit on that date. If a household starts receiving a qualifying benefit after this date, they will not be eligible for the rebate for that winter.
The rebate is applied to the electricity account of the household. If the household has a prepayment meter, the rebate is applied as a voucher or credit. The exact method of application depends on the electricity supplier.
It is important to note that the Warm Home Discount is not a saving on the energy bill but a rebate. This means that the household will still receive the full bill, but the rebate will be deducted from the amount owed. The rebate is applied once per winter season.
| Scheme | Amount | Who / when | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Home Discount | £150 | one-off rebate on electricity bill, winter 2026/27; qualifying date 23 August 2026; applied October 2026 to 31 March 2027; about 6 million households eligible | GOV.UK |
| Cold Weather Payment | £25 | per 7-day period of freezing weather, 1 Nov to 31 Mar | GOV.UK |
| Winter Fuel Payment | £200 | per eligible household born 28 Sep 1946 to 27 Jun 1960; £300 where someone was born before 28 Sep 1946; range £100 to £300 depending on household; qualifying week 21 to 27 September 2026; paid November or December 2026 | GOV.UK |
| Boiler Upgrade Scheme | £7,500 | air source, ground source or water source heat pump, England and Wales, homeowners and small businesses, via MCS-certified installer; scheme runs to 31 December 2027 | GOV.UK |
Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount?
Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount depends on the household's circumstances on the qualifying date of 23 August 2026. The scheme is available to households in Great Britain, but not in Northern Ireland.
The core group includes households that receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. These households are identified automatically by the DWP and do not need to apply. The rebate is applied automatically to their electricity account.
The broader group includes households on certain other benefits, such as Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, and Child Tax Credit. However, not all households on these benefits are eligible. There are additional criteria, such as having a low income and high energy costs.
Households in the broader group may need to apply for the scheme. The application process is usually open from July to February. The exact eligibility criteria are set by the government and can change each year.
It is important to note that the Warm Home Discount is not means-tested in the same way as other benefits. The eligibility is based on the benefits received and the household's circumstances. Households that are not sure if they are eligible should contact their electricity supplier or check the GOV.UK website.
How much is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 rebate on electricity bills. This amount has been set for the winter 2026/27 scheme. The rebate is applied automatically to the electricity account of eligible households.
The amount of the rebate is not based on the household's energy usage or bill amount. It is a fixed amount of £150. This means that even if the household's electricity bill is less than £150, the rebate will still be applied, but the household will not receive the difference as cash.
The rebate is applied between October 2026 and 31 March 2027. The exact date of application depends on the electricity supplier. Some suppliers may apply the rebate earlier in the winter, while others may apply it later.
It is important to note that the Warm Home Discount is not a saving on the energy bill but a rebate. This means that the household will still receive the full bill, but the rebate will be deducted from the amount owed. The rebate is applied once per winter season.
Households that are eligible for the Warm Home Discount will usually receive a letter from their electricity supplier. The letter will confirm the amount of the rebate and the date it will be applied.
When is the Warm Home Discount paid?
The Warm Home Discount is paid between October 2026 and 31 March 2027. The exact date of payment depends on the electricity supplier. Some suppliers may apply the rebate earlier in the winter, while others may apply it later.
The qualifying date for the scheme is 23 August 2026. This means that the household must be receiving the relevant benefit on that date. If a household starts receiving a qualifying benefit after this date, they will not be eligible for the rebate for that winter.
The rebate is applied automatically to the electricity account of eligible households. For households in the core group, the rebate is applied without the need to apply. For households in the broader group, they may need to apply before the deadline.
The application process for the broader group is usually open from July to February. The exact deadline is set by the government and can change each year. Households that are not sure if they are eligible should contact their electricity supplier or check the GOV.UK website.
It is important to note that the Warm Home Discount is not a cash payment. The rebate is applied to the electricity account, and the household will see the credit on their next bill. If the household has a prepayment meter, the rebate is applied as a voucher or credit.
How does the Warm Home Discount compare to the price cap?
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 rebate on electricity bills, while the price cap is a limit on the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge for each unit of energy. The price cap is set by Ofgem and applies to default tariffs.
For the period July to September 2026, the typical annual bill for a dual fuel household paying by Direct Debit is £1,663. For October to December 2026, the typical annual bill is £1,723, which is a 4% increase. The price cap is not a cap on the total bill but on the unit rates and standing charges.
The Warm Home Discount is applied as a rebate on the electricity bill, reducing the amount owed. This means that for an eligible household, the effective cost of electricity is reduced by £150. However, the Warm Home Discount is not a saving on the energy bill but a rebate.
It is important to note that the Warm Home Discount is not the same as the price cap. The price cap applies to all households on default tariffs, while the Warm Home Discount is only for eligible households. The price cap is set by Ofgem, while the Warm Home Discount is administered by the DWP.
Households that are eligible for the Warm Home Discount will still be subject to the price cap. The rebate is applied on top of the price cap, meaning that the household will pay the capped rate minus the rebate.
| Cap period | Typical dual fuel, Direct Debit | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul to Sep 2026 | £1,663 | Ofgem | |
| Oct to Dec 2026 | £1,723 | 4% | Ofgem |
| From 1 Jan 2027 | to be announced late November 2026 | Ofgem |
What is the difference between the Warm Home Discount and other schemes?
The Warm Home Discount is one of several government schemes designed to help with energy costs. Other schemes include the Cold Weather Payment and the Winter Fuel Payment. Each scheme has its own rules and payment amounts.
The Cold Weather Payment is £25 per 7-day period of freezing weather, paid between 1 November and 31 March. This payment is triggered when the average temperature is zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 consecutive days. The payment is made to households that receive certain benefits.
The Winter Fuel Payment is £200 per eligible household born between 28 September 1946 and 27 June 1960, and £300 where someone was born before 28 September 1946. The payment range is £100 to £300 depending on the household. The qualifying week is 21 to 27 September 2026, and the payment is made in November or December 2026.
The Warm Home Discount is a £150 rebate on electricity bills, applied between October 2026 and 31 March 2027. The qualifying date is 23 August 2026. The scheme is available to households that receive certain benefits or are in a specific group.
It is important to note that these schemes are not mutually exclusive. A household may be eligible for more than one scheme. However, each scheme has its own eligibility criteria and payment method.
How to check if you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount
To check if you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount, you need to consider your circumstances on the qualifying date of 23 August 2026. The scheme is available to households in Great Britain, but not in Northern Ireland.
The core group includes households that receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. These households are identified automatically by the DWP and do not need to apply. If you are in this group, you will receive a letter from your electricity supplier.
The broader group includes households on certain other benefits, such as Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, and Child Tax Credit. However, not all households on these benefits are eligible. There are additional criteria, such as having a low income and high energy costs.
If you think you might be eligible, you can contact your electricity supplier or check the GOV.UK website. The application process for the broader group is usually open from July to February. The exact deadline is set by the government and can change each year.
It is important to note that the Warm Home Discount is not means-tested in the same way as other benefits. The eligibility is based on the benefits received and the household's circumstances. Households that are not sure if they are eligible should contact their electricity supplier or check the GOV.UK website.
What to do if you think you should have received the Warm Home Discount
If you think you should have received the Warm Home Discount but have not, there are steps you can take. First, check the qualifying date of 23 August 2026. You must have been receiving a qualifying benefit on that date.
If you are in the core group, you should have received a letter from your electricity supplier. If you have not received a letter, contact your electricity supplier. They can check if you are eligible and if the rebate has been applied.
If you are in the broader group, you may need to apply for the scheme. The application process is usually open from July to February. If you missed the deadline, you may not be able to apply for that winter.
If you believe you are eligible but have not received the rebate, you can contact the Warm Home Discount helpline. The helpline is available to answer questions about the scheme. The contact details are on the GOV.UK website.
It is important to note that the Warm Home Discount is not a cash payment. The rebate is applied to the electricity account, and the household will see the credit on their next bill. If the household has a prepayment meter, the rebate is applied as a voucher or credit.
What changes are expected for the Warm Home Discount in 2026?
For the winter 2026/27 scheme, the Warm Home Discount remains a one-off £150 rebate on electricity bills. The qualifying date is 23 August 2026, and the rebate is applied between October 2026 and 31 March 2027.
The government has announced that about 6 million households are eligible for the scheme. This is a similar number to previous years. The eligibility criteria have not changed significantly, but it is important to check the latest guidance on the GOV.UK website.
One change is that the scheme is now administered by the DWP, which took over from Ofgem in 2022. This means that the eligibility is based on benefits received, rather than the previous system where energy suppliers identified eligible households.
There are no announced changes to the amount of the rebate for 2026/27. However, the government may review the scheme in the future. It is important to stay informed about any changes that may affect eligibility.
Households that are eligible for the Warm Home Discount will usually receive a letter from their electricity supplier. The letter will confirm the amount of the rebate and the date it will be applied. If you have not received a letter, contact your electricity supplier.
Glossary: the terms on an energy bill explained
Warm Home Discount: A one-off £150 rebate on electricity bills for eligible households in Great Britain, applied automatically between October and March.
Core group: Households receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, identified automatically for the Warm Home Discount.
Broader group: Households on certain benefits like Universal Credit or Income Support, who may need to apply for the Warm Home Discount.
Qualifying date: The date on which a household must be receiving a qualifying benefit to be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, set as 23 August 2026.
Price cap: A limit set by Ofgem on the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge per unit of energy for default tariffs.
Rebate: A credit applied to an electricity account, reducing the amount owed, as opposed to a cash payment.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 rebate on electricity bills for eligible households in Great Britain. It is applied automatically between October 2026 and 31 March 2027. The rebate is not a cash payment but a credit on the electricity account. It is designed to help with energy costs during the winter months.
Who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount?
Eligibility is based on receiving certain benefits on the qualifying date of 23 August 2026. The core group includes households on Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. The broader group includes households on Income Support, Universal Credit, and other benefits, but they may need to apply. About 6 million households are eligible.
How much is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a fixed amount of £150. It is a rebate on electricity bills, not a cash payment. The amount does not depend on energy usage or bill size. It is applied once per winter season.
When is the Warm Home Discount paid?
The rebate is applied between October 2026 and 31 March 2027. The exact date depends on the electricity supplier. The qualifying date is 23 August 2026. Households in the core group are identified automatically, while those in the broader group may need to apply.
Is the Warm Home Discount the same as the Winter Fuel Payment?
No, they are different schemes. The Warm Home Discount is a £150 rebate on electricity bills. The Winter Fuel Payment is a cash payment of £200 or £300 for eligible households born before certain dates. Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria and payment method.
Do I need to apply for the Warm Home Discount?
If you are in the core group, you do not need to apply. You will be identified automatically. If you are in the broader group, you may need to apply. The application process is usually open from July to February. Check the GOV.UK website for details.
